Jerod Mayo hopes to strengthen the Patriots’ O-line against the Cardinals

The New England Patriots have received some reinforcements along the offensive line recently. They signed Cole Strange to the active roster on Tuesday, a day after rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace returned to practice on Monday.

According to head coach Jerod Mayo, both players could see the game sooner rather than later – Strange will hopefully be ready to play “this week,” while Wallace could be ready “as early as this weekend.”

Mayo noted that both players are young options that the Patriots need to see what they can do before the end of the season. However, getting them onto the field might be more complicated.

Strange has focused primarily on the center position since returning to training three weeks ago, but Ben Brown’s recent positive play could prompt the staff to make a change.

Strange could then see time at his natural position of left guard, but that would come at the expense of rookie Layden Robinson, another young option New England has been trying to get on the field, and being left out of the lineup.

“With Cole, he has the flexibility to play center and guard,” Mayo said. “He understands both positions and I’m happy to see him. I’m excited to see him out there in full padding at practice today and hopefully see him in the game too.”

New England also has to take into account the quarterback-center swap with Drake Maye. Maye has taken snaps of Strange in recent weeks but has worked well with Brown since his arrival.

“That’s always a big part of it,” Mayo explained. “Look, you need to get Drake’s opinion on who he feels most comfortable with in this place. The quarterback-center exchange starts on every play and definitely plays a role in this decision.”

However, a change in center wouldn’t be new for Maye, as she has been working with multiple options since the summer when the Patriots worked out backup options behind David Andrews in training camp.

“At any time (you get) a new center, just take the snapshot. Jacoby (Brissett) always preaches about getting the snap and good feet first. “So it’s always different getting the snap and getting used to a new center,” Mayo explained Wednesday. “With David (Andrews), I had a little bit of a good feeling throughout camp because he’s the starter and you know he’s going to be there. When Ben came – feel good about Ben down there and knock on wood, I think the most important thing is just getting used to him.

“Cole has adapted well to practice. I took a few snaps of him the other day to kind of create a center-quarterback connection. You need that in every football team. It’s special.”

Working with Wallace appears to have a clearer path up front, as the Patriots could swap out Trey Jacobs at right tackle, who was benched in Week 12 before returning to the lineup in Week 13.

Earlier in the week, however, the Patriots appeared to opt for continuity at the top with the offensive line that last took the field before the bye. Things could change before Sunday’s game at Arizona, especially after a fully padded practice on Wednesday.

“Today, like I said, is a big day for a lot of guys who haven’t played much this year,” said Mayo, “Caedan is one of them, to go out in pads and see what it looks like.”