With the upcoming NFL schedule hyping up fans and teams alike, everyone was looking forward to a rather action-packed year. However, that does not seem to be the case for the New England Patriots or their head coach, Jerod Mayo. After all, hours ago it was revealed that the team would be kicking off the season without one of their key players, Cole Strange.

According to a post on X, NFL insider, Ian Rapoport revealed that Strange would be unable to join the Patriots at the start of the season. The 25-year-old injured his knee last season during a match against the Kansas City Chiefs in December. And it looks like the football guard still needs some recovery time before he joins his teammates back on the field. So far, the lineman has started every game he played with New England, making it the first time they would be without him.

Strange’s absence could leave the Patriots in a rather sticky situation. However, it looks like the coach, Mayo, already managed to cover all the bases by signing Nick Leverett, former Panthers star, Michael Jordan, and even Draft pick, Layden Robinson. Apart from that, the team also brought in three interior offensive linemen last year, Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi, and even Jake Andrews.

With Mayo’s roster being packed with so many athletes ready to step up to Strange’s spot, the Patriots might have nothing to worry about. After all, Jerod Mayo is keeping a cool head. In fact, just a day ago he ended up discussing the 25-year-old and his recovery process in a press conference.

Jerod Mayo shares an update on Cole Strange’s condition

On Monday, the OTAs for the New England Patriots kicked off. While every team member and fan present seemed ready to go, not everyone was in attendance. Due to his knee injury, guard Cole Strange, once again missed the off-season practice session. After the session ended, the team’s head coach, Jerod Mayo, addressed the press and even answered a few questions about the 25-year-old.

Mayo ended up being asked about Strange’s recovery status, which he claimed was an “interesting question.” The 35-year-old continued that the guard was unlike other athletes by stating, “Cole’s another guy; normally we’d say ‘day by day.’ He’s more of a ‘week by week’ or you could go ‘month by month’ if you want to.” Although his answer was rather vague, it gave fans hope that the athlete could be back later this year.

Mayo also complimented Strange on all the hard work he put into getting better. In fact, the coach even told the press that the injured star was “working hard” and “doing his rehab.” He even added that the player had been at every practice session, even though he could not get involved. While there might still be some time before the linesman makes a comeback to the field, it looks as though the head coach seems happy with the pace he’s going.