Patriots place offensive lineman Mike Onwenu on injured reserve

Patriots offensive lineman Mike Onwenu has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced.

He will miss at least four games. The soonest he is eligible to return would be Week 7 against the Bears.

Onwenu suffered an ankle injury during the first half of Sunday’s win against Pittsburgh. Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt landed on Onwenu’s ankle while attempting to sack Drake Maye.

ESPN reported after the game that Onwenu’s right ankle was broken. Coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Monday that he didn’t expect Onwenu to be available 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.

Onwenu’s absence is another blow to the Patriots’ offense, which has struggled in the first two games. Wide receiver A.J. Brown was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the season opener. New England had just gotten TreVeyon Henderson back after the second-year running back missed the opener with an ankle injury.

Tight-end Eli Raridon (thigh) was one of several Patriots to leave Sunday’s game early. Dre’Mont Jones left with a shoulder injury. Craig Woodson was reportedly spotted in a sling in the Patriots’ locker room following the win.

Veteran offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, who started all 17 games for the Giants last year, finished Sunday’s game in place of Onwenu.

Vrabel also said he hasn’t ruled out playing first-round pick Caleb Lomu at guard. Lomu primarily played left-tackle in college. He gained experience working at both left and right tackle during the preseason, though he primarily stuck with the right side during his first training camp with the Patriots.

“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.”

The Patriots will return to action on Sunday against the Jaguars. Onwenu will miss at least two divisional games; the Patriots travel to Buffalo on Oct. 4 and host the Jets on Oct. 18.

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.