FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday that veteran Greg Van Roten will start in place of Mike Onwenu at right guard Week 3 against the Jaguars.
Van Roten, who signed with the Patriots in mid-August, replaced Onwenu in Week 2 and allowed two hurries in 40 offensive snaps.
The Patriots’ other candidates for the starting role were Ben Brown and Walter Rouse. Van Roten, 36, has the most starting experience among those options. The Patriots also have Jake Kubas and Xavier Newman-Johnson on their practice squad. The Patriots have considered giving rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu snaps at guard dating back to the summer.
Van Roten has played for the Packers, Panthers, Jets, Bills, Raiders and Giants in his long career. He’s started 105 games since making his NFL debut in 2012. He started 17 games in each of his last two seasons with the Giants.
He previously started next to Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses with the Jets and spent time with his current offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, with the Raiders in 2023.