Patriots OL Mike Onwenu Off PUP List, Practicing

The New England Patriots received some much-needed reinforcements when starting right guard Michael Onwenu returned to the field for the Pats final traiing camp practice of the season.

FOXBORO — At long last, the New England Patriots welcomed starting offensive guard Michael Onwenu back to practice, after spending the entirety of training camp and preseason to date on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. 

Onwenu’s absence stemmed from his undergoing offseason surgery for a lingering ankle injury suffered last season. While he was a limited participant on Wednesday afternoon, his presence signifies his removal from the PUP list prior to their preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans on Friday.

Since joining the Patriots as a sixth-round draft selection (No. 187) in 2020, Onwenu has been one of the Patriots most durable offensive linemen. The Michigan product nearly played every offensive snap for New England in 2022, until suffering his injury in the fourth quarter of the  Pats’ 35-23 season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo’s defensive lineman, DaQuan Jones, landed on the back of his legs, causing him to miss his only six snaps of the season.

With Onwenu’s rookie contract set to expire at season’s end, he is expected to command a hefty salary on the open market. At nearly 6-3, 350, he is a massive lineman with excellent length. At his best, the Pats guard has shown a consistent and impressive ability to overwhelm defenders in the run game, while anchoring well to protecting the passer. It is a rare occasion on which he is easily bypassed on a pass block.

Onwenu was a highly-touted right guard during his time at the University of Michigan. In spite of trying his hand at both right tackle, and left guard during his two-plus years with the Pats, the 25-year-old has found his niche at his current positions, much to the satisfaction of his head coach.

"That's what we've tried to do since we drafted him,” Belichick said of Onwenu. “That's where we'd like to play him, for sure." he’s built to play guard, he’s comfortable playing guard, he’s got a really good skill set there.”

In light of the Patriots numerous offensive line struggles — especially at the right tackle position — the prospect of moving Onwenu back to outside right has been speculated as of late by both the fans and media. After all, Onwenu played over 600 snaps at right tackle during his rookie season in 2020. Despite starting 2021 as their starting left guard, he played 276 at right tackle, as well. During his absence, veterans Riley Reiff, Bill Murray and rookie Atonio Mafi have taken snaps at right guard. 

Still, the addition of Reiff and Calvin Anderson via free agency make New England more likely to keep him in place. Should he remain at guard, he will join left-side starter Cole Strange, veterans Murray and Chasen Hines and rookies Mafi and Sidy Sow on the Pats’ depth chart. 

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