The offensive tackle position has been a sore spot for the Patriots this offseason, with plenty of uncertainty surrounding the projected starters. In a move aimed at adding veteran depth, a familiar face is being brought back.
Not long after hosting him for a free agent visit, New England is set to sign Marcus Cannon to their practice squad (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). The deal marks a return to the Patriots for the 34-year-old. Cannon was a fifth-round pick of the team in 2011.
Over the course of nine years with the Patriots, Cannon made 155 appearances and 69 starts. He was a full-time first-teamer from 2016 to 2019, though injuries caused him to miss several games during that stretch. New England traded him to the Texans last March, a move which was considered increasingly likely after the Patriots re-acquired Trent Brown.
In Houston, Cannon started all four games he played in, but once again ran into injury problems. A disc issue in his back landed him on IR, ultimately ending his season. To little surprise, then, the Texans released the TCU product one year after acquiring him. Now, Cannon will return to New England to provide depth at a position of uncertainty.
Brown ended up being switched to left tackle this offseason, in no small part due to the struggles of 2018 first-rounder Isaiah Wynn. The latter found himself in trade talk this summer, but will remain with the Patriots on the right side. Behind those two, New England has Michael Onwenu, Justin Herron and Yodny Cajuste as depth on the 53-man roster. Now, they have a familiar, experienced veteran as an emergency option.
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