The New England Patriots dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, earning a 20-3 win in Week 2. But the victory appears to be costly, as a key offensive lineman could miss the rest of the season due to a leg injury. Offensive guard Mike Onwenu was carted off the field on Sunday after he got his leg rolled up into by Steelers pass-rusher T.J.
Watt flew into Onwenu when trying to make a tackle on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter. Replay of the injury appeared to show a gruesome leg injury. Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Patriots believe Onwenu suffered a season-ending leg injury.
"Sources: Patriots G Mike Onwenu is feared to have suffered a season-ending leg injury during today’s win over the Steelers," Schultz posted on X. "Absolutely devastating loss up front for New England." More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Per Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss of ESPN, initial x-rays showed Onwenu broke his right ankle. Onwenu has made 100 appearances and 92 starts in his NFL career.
During his postgame news conference, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters he didn't have any immediate updates on Onwenu or any other injured players. He was proud of the way Greg Van Roten replaced Onwenu. "Well, I don't have any updates," Vrabel said, via the Patriots.
"Again, that's what we have to be able to do is create those opportunities for the next guy in and be able to coach everybody the same. We ask everybody to show up each week and prepare as a starter. "I know that sometimes that's hard, and sometimes guys prepare really hard to be a starter and they don't end up playing or having a major role.
And then sometimes like today, they have to be ready to go. So, I'm proud of everybody that helped contribute, especially the players themselves that were ready to go." The Patriots improved to 1-1 with the win over the Steelers. They'll next travel to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.
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