The New England Patriots’ Week 2 injury picture became more serious Monday morning, with starting right guard Mike Onwenu reportedly diagnosed with a broken right ankle after leaving Sunday’s 20-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Onwenu was carted off after Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt rolled into the back of his legs on a first-quarter sack. New England initially announced only an ankle injury, but ESPN’s Mike Reiss later reported that initial X-rays showed a fracture. The Patriots have not yet announced a recovery timetable.
What changed from Sunday’s initial injury report
Immediately after the game, the Patriots were dealing with a broad group of new injuries, including Onwenu, Dre’Mont Jones, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus and Eli Raridon. The important new development is that Onwenu’s issue now appears to be more than a short-term ankle sprain.
NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk reported that Onwenu has a broken ankle, citing Reiss. Boston 25 also reported Monday that initial X-rays revealed a broken right ankle. Until New England provides a formal timetable or reserve-list move, the length of his absence should remain open.
Why Onwenu’s injury matters to the Patriots
Onwenu has been one of New England’s most dependable offensive linemen. The Patriots list him as a seven-year veteran with extensive starting experience at both guard and tackle, and he started every regular-season and playoff game in 2025.
Veteran Greg Van Roten replaced him at right guard against Pittsburgh. If Onwenu misses extended time, Van Roten is the most immediate in-house option, but the Patriots could also need to revisit their offensive-line depth depending on the final diagnosis and roster designation.
The injury comes during a stretch in which New England has already had to manage several availability issues. FSN recently covered Carlton Davis III being ruled out against Pittsburgh and TreVeyon Henderson’s return to full practice.
New England may have to reshuffle the right side
Continuity is especially important on the offensive line, and Onwenu’s versatility has given the Patriots flexibility for several seasons. Losing him would affect more than one position because he has experience handling both interior and tackle assignments.
Van Roten’s experience gives New England a veteran fallback, but the first Week 3 practice report and any corresponding roster move will provide a clearer picture of how the Patriots plan to compensate.
What comes next
The next meaningful update will be whether the Patriots confirm the fracture, provide a recovery estimate or place Onwenu on injured reserve. A reserve-list move would guarantee a multi-week absence, while additional imaging could determine whether surgery is required.
Until then, the confirmed change is straightforward: what was initially an in-game ankle injury is now being reported as a broken ankle, making Onwenu one of New England’s most significant early-season injury concerns.