Patriots OL Michael Onwenu Play vs. Dolphins?

New England Patriots starting guard Michael Onwenu may be ready to provide some much-needed help to their struggling offensive line.

FOXBORO — At long last, the New England Patriots appear ready to welcome some sizable reinforcement back to their ailing offensive line. 

Starting right guard Michael Onwenu, who was inactive for the Pats' 25-20 Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, “should be available” for the Patriots on Sunday night as they host the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium, according to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Onwenu’s absence stemmed from his undergoing offseason surgery for a lingering ankle injury suffered last season. While he has been limited practice participant since his removal from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Aug. 23, Onwenu has shown sufficient progress to warrant making his season-debut against the Pats division rivals in Week 2. 

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, causing him to miss his only six snaps of the season.

At 6-3, 350, Onwenu 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 prospect of moving the 25-year-old back to right tackle 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. 

With Onwenu’s rookie contract set to expire at season’s end, he is expected to command a hefty salary on the open market. Still, a positional switch seems to be a long shot, at best. New England's line is already facing its share of uncertainty with offseason acquisition Riley Reiff on injured reserve, and four linemen (including Onwenu) listed as 'questionable' for Sunday's game. Starting left tackle Trent Brown and reserve guard Sidy Sow have spent the week in concussion protocol, while second-year left guard Cole Strange has been dealing with a knee injury. Given the unsettled nature of both the guard and tackle positions, Onwenu appears to be a safe bet to return to his natural position of right guard, if active. 

Kickoff between the Pats and the Dolphins is set for 8:20 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.