FOXBORO -- With the first practice of 2023 training camp scheduled for Wednesday, the New England Patriots have placed three players on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, as confirmed by the NFL Transaction Wire.
Offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, safety/core special teamer Cody Davis and rookie defensive lineman Justus Tavai will begin training camp on PUP, with each player eligible to be removed from the list at any time.
Onwenu has participated neither in OTAs, nor minicamp due to an ankle injury. While it is yet to be confirmed, Davis is rumored to be suffering from a knee ailment. Tavai's injury has yet to be disclosed.
Since joining the Patriots as a sixth-round draft selection (No. 187) in 2020, Onwenu has been one of the Patriots most durable offensive linemen. The Michigan product nearly played every offensive snap for New England in 2022, until suffering his injury in the fourth quarter of the Pats’ 35-23 season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo’s defensive lineman, DaQuan Jones, landed on the back of his legs, causing him to miss his only six snaps of the season.
With Onwenu’s rookie contract set to expire at season’s end, he is expected to command a hefty salary on the open market. At nearly 6-3, 350, he is a massive lineman with excellent length. At his best, the Pats guard has shown a consistent and impressive ability to overwhelm defenders in the run game, while anchoring well to protecting the passer. It is a rare occasion on which he is easily bypassed on a pass block. His absence creates a significant void for the Pats at right guard.
Despite being officially listed as a safety, Davis has been one of the team’s most valuable special teamers; second only to team captain Matthew Slater. The nine-year NFL veteran, joined the NFL in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech. Following stops with the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, he joined the Patriots as a free agent prior to the 2020 season. He led the team with 15 special teams tackles in 2021.
Davis suffered a non-contact knee injury while covering a kickoff return in the first half of New England's Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, ending his 2022 season. Prior to his injury, Davis had played in six games with the Pats, earning six special teams tackles on 106 snaps. In addition to his coverage duties, he also served as New England’s personal punt protector. In Davis’ absence, the role was given to safety Adrian Phillips.
Tavai was signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of San Diego State on May 19. His name is a familiar one for Pats fans, being the younger brother of linebacker Jahlani, who is about to enter his third season with New England. Tavai, 24, finished his college career in 2022 at San Diego State after four seasons at Hawaii (2018-21) and one at El Camino College (2017). The 6-3, 290-pounder played in 12 games and finished with 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks and was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year last season at San Diego State. Tavai played in 25 games with 19 starts during his time in Hawaii and finished with 72 total tackles with four sacks.
Though Tavai was released shortly after his signing in May, he was re-signed to New England's 90-man roster during minicamp in early June.
The Patriots will take the practice fields adjacent to Gillette Stadium for their first training camp session on Wednesday.
More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.
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