FOXBORO -- Sebastian Vollmer's 2016 season is in jeopardy.
The Patriots right tackle is dealing with a nagging hip injury that is keeping him on the physically unable to perform list, according to a source. From here, Vollmer could either wind up on PUP to start the regular season, which would make him unavailable for at least the first six weeks of the season, or injured reserve. Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reported that Vollmer is likely headed to IR.
The other alternative with Vollmer, 32, would be to release him. Obviously, given his importance to the team both in the locker room and on the field, where he's one of the NFL's best run-blockers, that would be an unappetizing scenario.
The Patriots would save $2.675 against the salary cap if Vollmer were released, according to Miguel Benzan of PatsCap.com. His 2016 cap hit is $5.214 million.