On Saturday, one day before the Patriots play their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks, the team announced offensive tackle Chuks Okorafor was moved to the “Exempt/Left Squad” list, which opens up a roster spot for the team without releasing a player.
With that spot opening, the team announced it will be elevating guard Michael Jordan from the practice squad.
Jordan’s elevation comes as no surprise, as starting left guard Sidy Sow will be sidelined for the second week in a row with an ankle injury.
If Jordan is elevated one more time from the practice squad, rules state that the 26-year-old would have to be added to the 53-man roster. Depending on how Sow’s injury develops, we could see this happen in the coming days for Jordan.
At the current moment, we do not know what necessitated Okorafor’s move to the “Exempt/Left Squad” list. All we know at the moment is Okorafor will not be with the team for Sunday’s home opener, and he won’t count towards the 53-man roster.
Okorafor struggled in Week 1’s win at Cincinnati, being benched at left tackle after only 12 snaps in favor of third-year offensive lineman Vederian Lowe. Okorafor struggled throughout training camp and the preseason to make the transition from right to left tackle, as he spent most of the last six years with the Pittsburgh Steelers playing on the right side of the line.
The Patriots utilized the “Exempt/Left Squad” list last season with quarterback Matt Corral, when he left the team without notice just before their season opener against the Eagles.
Stay tuned to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest as this story develops.