“I think the work that I’ve put in is, you know, good for the coaches to trust me enough to put me in there,” Lowe said Wednesday. “It means everything, the opportunity.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Lowe last season allowed 33 quarterback pressures and five sacks. He also committed a team-high 13 penalties. His performance contributed to the Patriots’ poor pass protection and sputtering offense.
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A year later, though, Lowe is hopeful he is in a better spot. He revealed Wednesday he suffered a torn labrum in Week 8 last season and waited until the offseason to undergo surgery. As a result, he practiced in a limited capacity throughout the spring and opened training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
“I was proud of getting myself back, being able to be productive, and securing a spot here,” Lowe said. “I definitely feel like I put some good stuff out there last year. I feel like playing with it wasn’t the best, but it doesn’t matter. I was just trying to go out there and do the best I could. I’m just excited for the opportunity that presents itself Monday night [against the Giants].”
With a new coaching staff and scheme, a healthy Lowe will now have a chance to prove he’s a competent, effective backup to Campbell. Lowe credited the coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, for helping the players prepare mentally.
“Everybody in this league is good, but that’s what separates — the details,” Lowe said. “I think that’s the No. 1 thing I’ve learned from this staff.”
The Patriots also have rookie Marcus Bryant as an alternative option.
Lowe, though, sounds ready to capitalize on his opportunity.
Patriots tackle Will Campbell was placed on injured reserve after his right knee buckled after absorbing a direct hit on his knee from a Bengals defender in Sunday’s 26-20 win in Cincinnati.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
The other leaders on the offensive line, center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Morgan Moses, will do what they can to help ease the transition as much as possible.
“If communication has to go up a little bit, that’s fine,” Bradbury said. “We all need to be on the same page. It’s not panic. It’s move on, next man up, next play.”
Not only will the Patriots be without Campbell, they’ll also miss left guard Jared Wilson, who suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday. Ben Brown, who started in Week 4 when Wilson was sidelined with a different ankle injury, will once again fill in.
Vrabel wouldn’t say if Wilson’s injury will sideline him for more than one game. Wilson, who was walking with a boot and crutch after Sunday’s game, did not practice Wednesday but was walking in the locker room without any assistance. The Patriots will have their bye in Week 14, which will give him more time to recover.
In the meantime, the team plans to keep both rookies engaged while sidelined.
“That’s all it can be,” Vrabel said. “If you want to have a good, long NFL career, you’re going to have to battle through some of these things.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.