Shaq Mason

Shaq Mason Missing from Patriots Wednesday Practice

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Shaq Mason, Brandon Bolden, and Jonathan Freeny did not practice Wednesday for the Patriots.

With Jonathan Cooper cut and starting right guard Shaq Mason reportedly sidelined Wednesday’s workout, the Patriots find themselves dangerously thin on the offensive line.

The second-year offensive lineman out of Georgia Tech has appeared in all five of New England’s games so far this seasons, starting in four of them. He also made 14 regular season starts in 2015 for the Patriots and appeared in both playoff games, playing every offensive snap in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos.

Should Mason be unable to go this week against the Bengals, rookie sixth-round draft pick Ted Karras would presumably be tapped to fill his spot.

Brandon Bolden continues to be sidelined after suffering a knee injury in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills. A key special teams contributor, Bolden’s injury is not thought to be season-ending. He missed practice all last week and did not take the field today.

Jonathan Freeny also went down in Week 4, suffering a shoulder injury. He was limited all last week in practice but reportedly was sat out of today’s workout.

Other notes from Wednesday’s practice:

The Patriots reportedly released fullback Glenn Gronkowski from the practice squad to make room for receiver Shaq Evans.

Linebacker Shea McLellan returned to the practice field as a limited participant.

Defensive tackle Vincent Valentine was also back in action Wednesday after missing last week’s workouts with a back injury.