![\"Caedan](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/HHKStzYrlThjMHyhrTWqa-Ge0Lk=\/480x225:4972x2223\/1200x800\/filters:focal(2655x748:3449x1542)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_image\/image\/73784137\/usa_today_24007943.0.jpg\")
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With the exception of first-round pick Drake Maye, the New England Patriots\u2019 rookie class has largely underwhelmed so far this season. That includes offensive tackle Caedan Wallace, who joined the team as in the third round of the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
After originally competing for the starting right tackle spot in training camp, Wallace opened the regular season in a backup capacity. Over the first month of the season, he started one game at left tackle \u2014 a rough outing for the youngster in Week 3 \u2014 and was on the field for 70 offensive snaps.<\/p>\n
The 70th of those saw him suffer an ankle injury on a short-yardage play. Wallace was ruled out of the contest in San Francisco quickly, and ultimately had to be sent shortly thereafter.<\/p>\n
Two months later, he remains on IR. However, Wallace recently returned to practice and is trying to make his way back onto the roster before the end of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHad a long recovery process,\u201d he told reporters earlier this week. \u201cI\u2019m glad to be back on the field, back out with my guys. I\u2019m enjoying practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Returning to practice at the very least puts him on a path to make a comeback down the stretch; the latest the Patriots can activate him is before the season finale against Buffalo. It also allows Wallace to put his behind-the-scenes work into practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely had more time to dive into film, and kind of pick myself apart more and see things that I\u2019m going to work on more getting back in the field,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019m hoping that what I learned will slow the game down. That\u2019s what everyone says happens as you learn the game more. I know it\u2019s a work in progress. I\u2019m just kind of excited to get back out there and see what I learned.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallace returning an improved player would be good news for the Patriots and an offensive line that has been a problem throughout the year, especially at right tackle. Demontrey Jacobs, thrust into the starting role in Week 4, has struggled in extended action; he twice seemed to have lost his job but was able to keep hold of it both times.<\/p>\n
However, Jacobs has not proven himself a starter-level player. Wallace has neither, but the youngster at least offers superior if untapped potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully, we can find a spot for him at some point at the end of the season as it comes down,\u201d offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said on Thursday. \u201cWe need to see what these young guys can do. And that\u2019s been our theme throughout the course of the year, getting our young guys more experience and see where we are with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallace is one of those guys, and his emergence would go a long way toward solving a major problem on the Patriots roster today. How soon he will be able to showcase his growth, however, is up in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce he\u2019s ready to go, he\u2019ll go out there and hopefully help our football team,\u201d said head coach Jerod Mayo. \u201cIt could be as soon as this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wallace has been a limited participant in practice so far this week, and his status for Sunday\u2019s game against the Arizona Cardinals is TBD. He is trending up, though, which is good news for a team looking for all the help it can get.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Patriots\u2019 third-round draft pick has been out since suffering an ankle injury in Week 4.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-england-patriots"],"yoast_head":"\n