The New England Patriots encountered a setback in their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts. The game ended in a 13-13 tie, with a notable injury as interior offensive lineman Ben Brown was hurt while blocking during a sack of quarterback Tommy DeVito. Brown needed assistance leaving the field and visited the medical tent before heading to the locker room. Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Brown will be absent for several weeks, possibly months, at least missing the remainder of the preseason.
In response to Brown’s injury, the Patriots signed veteran guard Greg Van Roten. Van Roten, 36, has over a decade of NFL experience. He has played for the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants. He also had a brief stint in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts. Over his 11-year NFL career, Van Roten has started 105 games, including all 17 games in each of the last three seasons with the Giants and Raiders.
During his time with the Raiders in 2023, he was coached by Josh McDaniels, who is now New England’s offensive coordinator. Last year with the Giants, Van Roten earned a PFF grade of 65.4, ranking 35th among 81 qualified guards, and a pass-block grade of 70.2, ranking 22nd. He led all guards with 1,151 total snaps last season.
Entering free agency, Van Roten was one of the top available linemen. His return to work with McDaniels adds depth to a team with strong Super Bowl aims. Van Roten’s skill at both guard positions offers flexibility for New England’s interior offensive line.