Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Walter Rouse replaced Greg Van Roten at right guard after Van Roten left with a thigh injury; Rouse had been working there. Ben Brown was planned as center and first left-guard option. Rouse allowed four pressures and a sack.
Vrabel said Brown is healthy and will probably be needed this week, and the team will assess Van Roten after more tests. Brown started four games at left guard last season, then injured his knee in preseason and missed the regular-season opener; he signed a two-year, $6.6 million extension in December.
Rouse switched from tackle to guard this summer with Minnesota and came to New England in a trade involving a late-round draft-pick swap during roster cuts. Vrabel said Rouse made mistakes but competed and will need to improve.
