Patriots Name Ben Brown Starting Right Guard for Week 4

Overview

• Coach Mike Vrabel said Friday that Ben Brown will start at right guard against the Buffalo Bills after injuries forced starter Mike Onwenu out in Week 2 and pushed Greg Van Roten to injured reserve.
• Brown has played 33 games for the Patriots with 14 starts almost entirely at center or left guard and has logged only a handful of snaps at right guard, though he played guard in college and says he is confident.
• The team held an open competition this week that featured Brown, recent trade acquisition Walter Rouse and newly signed veteran Matt Pryor while coaches evaluated who could handle the communication and game‑day duties.
• The rapid turnover at right guard raises short‑term concerns for pass protection and run blocking and could force the Patriots to elevate more linemen or activate Pryor depending on his readiness for the road game.
• Brown joined New England in October 2024 after being claimed from the Raiders practice squad and the starter call shows the Patriots choosing internal depth and quick roster fixes as they manage a larger injury list.