Trent Brown misses second straight practice due to illness

Share

FOXBORO -- With Trent Brown missing his second consecutive practice due to illness on Thursday, it's worth wondering: What's the backup plan there?

The Patriots could roll with LaAdrian Waddle, who has served primarily as a right tackle over the course of his career. According to Pro Football Focus, he's played two games in which he's seen more than 10 snaps on the left side: his pro debut in 2013, and a Week 16 game for the Patriots in 2015.

The other option? Recently re-signed tackle Matt Tobin. The 28-year-old was officially brought back on Wednesday after spending all of training camp with the Patriots. He was released on Sep. 1 when the Patriots opted to keep Brown, Marcus Cannon, Waddle and Cole Croston as their tackles.

Tobin spent two weeks with the Niners before he was released in mid-September. The Iowa product played four seasons with the Eagles and one with Seattle in 2017. Tobin has played primarily guard in his career, but he's also seen time at both left and right tackle for the Eagles and left tackle for the Seahawks, playing 81 snaps there as a reserve last season. Tobin also spent time on the left side during training camp this summer.

If Brown is over his illness soon then the Patriots will have their clear-cut No. 1 option on Tom Brady’s blind side. Brown has performed well in his first season in New England, allowing two sacks this season, and imposing his will on defenders in the running game at times. On Cordarrelle Patterson's score Sunday night, and on James White's first touchdown against the Packers, Brown threw key blocks to get the Patriots into the end zone.

If Brown can't go, Dante Scarnecchia and Bill Belichick will have a plan there. It's just not abundantly clear what that plan would be.

Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back), Sony Michel (knee) and Shaq Mason (calf) all remained limited in practice for the Patriots. There were no changes to the team's injury report from Wednesday.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON SCHEDULE

Contact Us