Mike Vrabel gives injury updates on Mike Onwenu, Dre’Mont Jones

With 12 seconds left in the second quarter, the Patriots wound up using two timeouts at once during Sunday’s win against the Steelers.

Pittsburgh had 3rd-and-1 on their own 44 with 18 seconds left and Marcus Jones went down with a knee injury.

Coach Mike Vrabel said he believed the clock should have been running and didn’t realize that the injury timeout had been called.

“Yeah, I blew it. Injury timeout,” Vrabel said. “I was all caught up on the fact that they should’ve been winding that play, which again, I don’t understand.

“Clearly his shin came down in bounds, and so in my haste to try to correct the officials, the injury timeout under two goes on us, and then we were going to see what they ran and I called timeout.”

“So yep, I blew it, and I was hoping to try to convince the official to run the clock, and then the injury stopped the clock. So, that went in as a team timeout under two minutes.”

The drive ended with Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell hitting a 56-yard field goal for the Steelers’ only score of the game.

The Patriots prevailed 20-3 in their home opener and persevered through a number of injuries. Jones was able to return to the game, but Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Onwenu, Craig Woodson, and Eli Raridon were not.

ESPN reported that Onwenu has a broken ankle. On Monday, Vrabel told reporters that he anticipates the veteran offensive guard will be out for a while.

“I don’t think he’ll be available here in the short term,” Vrabel said. “So, I wouldn’t anticipate him being out there here in the next few weeks. If that changes and it ends up being longer than that, then we will let you guys know.”

Greg Van Roten stepped in for Ownenu during the game. Vrabel was also asked if he’s considering playing first-round pick Caleb Lomu at guard for more depth at the position.

“Again, there are a lot of things that we could look at. Caleb has been trying to predominantly practice, be there, be ready to go playing tackle,” Vrabel said. “So, we have some guys that we could move in there, and Caleb would be one of the guys that could possibly do that. But again, we just have to make sure that we have the best five available, and then the other three guys that are versatile on game day.”

Dre’Mont Jones left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Vrabel was asked whether the Patriots would need to add depth at edge rusher if Jones is out for a significant portion of time.

“Again, we have to look at all those things,” Vrabel said. “I don’t know how he’s going to progress during the week. I know he wasn’t able to finish the game, obviously. He’ll do everything he can to be ready, and if he’s not, then we will have alternate plans.”

The Patriots also took a hit at safety with Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus suffering injuries. According to The Boston Globe, Woodson was spotted wearing an arm sling in the locker room.

The Patriots signed Kevin Byard in the offseason and traded for Jaylen Reed during the preseason. Vrabel said practice squad players, such as Mike Brown, will help fill the void.

“I think some of the veteran practice squad guys are going to factor in this week,” Vrabel said. “I know that Mike Brown has been with us since the spring, and I think that’s the balance that you weigh with the practice squad. We’ve talked about that. You have some young guys that you’re looking to develop, some veteran guys that have played in games that are preparing as a starter and that’ll be ready to go.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.