The Patriots will be without starting center Bryan Stork in the AFC championship game.
The journey to the Super Bowl just got a bit harder for the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots.
Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Patriots will be without starting center Bryan Stork, who will miss the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts because of a knee injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens.
"The team’s starting center injured a knee on Saturday against the Ravens. He won’t play on Sunday.Stork is out, and Ryan Wendell will slide over to handle the duties."
Stork is another nod on the impressive draft reel that Bill Belichick has compiled together since accepting the job to coach the Patriots. A fourth-round selection out of Florida State, Stork joined the Patriots as the backup behind Ryan Wendell, quickly usurping the veteran for the starting position on the offensive line. Despite Storks’ debut coming in the shellacking at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, the rookie did an excellent job at keeping Tom Brady protected.
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Unfortunately, the center would be forced to the bench after injuring his knee on a sack against the Ravens in the Divisional Round. He’d sit out the remainder of the game.
Without good offensive line play, the Patriots will be in a world of trouble against the Indianapolis Colts (Indy ranked 9th in sacks, 41, in the regular season). We saw this early in the season when the Patriots struggles against teams such as the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings, the most notable early season game was the Monday night beat-down delivered by the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since then, thanks to camaraderie and good health, the Patriots offensive line pulled it together, allowing Tom Brady to rip off an impressive run. By the seasons end, New England was in the bottom half in regards to sacks allowed, tied 26th with 26 total sacks, and looked to be one of the best offensive teams in the NFL, finishing 9th in overall passing yards and 4th in total points scored not he season.
If the Patriots can pull off a win over the Colts, the likelihood of Stork returning to the field is very high. Stork would be able to receive two weeks of treatment and rest to prepare for whomever is standing opposite the Patriots from the NFC conference.
But for now? New England has to manage without the impressive rookie center.
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