Patriots: Walter Rouse First Career Start Comes vs Bears
Walter Rouse will make his walter rouse first career start at left guard for the New England Patriots on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The start comes after starting guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown were injured in Sunday's 26-19 win over the New York Jets, leaving New England short-handed on a short week. Rouse, who has played 12 career games without a start, now protects Drake Maye in prime time.
Walter Rouse gets his first career start because the Patriots lost both starting guards against the Jets
According to Patriots Wire, Rouse will start at left guard in the Thursday Night Football game at Chicago, the first start of his NFL career. Patriots Wire reported that Rouse said, "It's a great opportunity. The fact that they believed enough to want to bring me here means a lot. And now I'm starting for the team now, for prime time game, it's surreal."
The New England Patriots traded for Walter Rouse at the roster cutdown deadline and converted the tackle to guard. Rouse has taken game reps at right guard before, and Rouse got his first taste of the left side against the New York Jets, playing on the final drive that burned time off the clock in the 26-19 win.
Alijah Vera-Tucker left the Jets game with a hamstring injury and Ben Brown left with a knee injury. Starting right guard Mike Onwenu remains on injured reserve, and right tackle Morgan Moses has a chance to play against Chicago after leaving Sunday's game, per reports from head coach Mike Vrabel on Tuesday.
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Protecting Drake Maye is the whole job for Walter Rouse and the rebuilt Patriots line
Drake Maye has been sacked only twice over the past three weeks, and the Patriots need Walter Rouse to keep that run going against the Chicago Bears. Patriots Wire noted that Rouse has allowed four pressures and a sack this season, but Rouse has not allowed a quarterback hit this year.
The Chicago Bears are 4-2 under head coach Ben Johnson, and the winner on Thursday reaches 5-2. Caleb Williams is fully cleared to start for Chicago, so the Bears' front will test a patriots starting offensive line vs bears that could feature Rouse at left guard, Matt Pryor at the other guard spot, and rookie Caleb Lomu ready at multiple positions if Morgan Moses cannot go. Mike Vrabel said Lomu will have to be ready for a couple of spots.
What happens next for Walter Rouse and the Patriots offensive line?
Walter Rouse starts at left guard on Thursday night, October 22, when the New England Patriots play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago. If Rouse holds up in pass protection, Rouse gives the Patriots a real option at guard while Alijah Vera-Tucker, Ben Brown and Mike Onwenu recover.
The Patriots' plan starts with Walter Rouse, a converted tackle making the biggest start of his career on national television.
Frequently asked questions about Walter Rouse and Patriots vs Bears
Who is starting at left guard for the Patriots against the Bears?
Walter Rouse is starting at left guard for the New England Patriots against the Chicago Bears. It is the first career start for Rouse, who has appeared in 12 career games.
Why is Walter Rouse starting for the Patriots?
Walter Rouse is starting because Alijah Vera-Tucker injured his hamstring and Ben Brown injured his knee against the New York Jets, and Mike Onwenu remains on injured reserve. Head coach Mike Vrabel said on Tuesday that Vera-Tucker and Brown would probably not play against Chicago.
When and where is Patriots vs Bears?
The New England Patriots play the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, October 22, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Both teams enter the Thursday Night Football game with a chance to reach 5-2.
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