The Patriots offensive line has struggled at times in the first three weeks and they come into Week Four with a couple of question marks up front.
Left guard Logan Mankins and tackle Sebastian Vollmer are both listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bills, a state of affairs which likely led the Patriots to sign Matt Tennant to the active roster. Tennant spent a few days with the Patriots in early September after being waived by the Saints as they made their cuts to 53 men at the end of the preseason, but was cut when New England signed the since-departed Lex Hilliard.
Adding to the injury woes up front for the Patriots is the fact that reserve lineman Nick McDonald is also questionable for the Buffalo game thanks to a shoulder injury. The decision to sign Tennant could be a sign that one or more of the linemen won’t be able to get on the field on Sunday.
Tennant, who fills the roster spot vacated by Kellen Winslow, played 28 games with the Saints over the last two seasons as a backup guard and center. New Orleans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.