Cannon a no-go at walk-through, unlikely to play

The New England Patriots play Thursday night, and right tackle Marcus Cannon was nowhere to be found Tuesday. At least on the practice field.

Cannon hasn't played since suffering a toe injury a week and a half ago against the Indianapolis Colts. And according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, Cannon was absent from his team's walk-through, "an indication that he is highly unlikely to play" when the Miami Dolphins come to town in two nights.

That means we should see former practice-squader Cameron Fleming, who was called up last week, against Cameron Wake in the primetime bout.

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Belichick optimistic about Cannon filling in for Solder

Since being drafted 17th overall in the 2011 draft, Nate Solder has missed only one game for the New England Patriots, with much of that time spent protecting Tom Brady’s blindside.

With news that the 27-year-old was placed on IR Wednesday following a torn bicep, however, that job will now be relegated to Marcus Cannon, the team’s versatile backup.

It’s that versatility that has coach Bill Belichick confident the team’s fifth-round pick from that same 2011 draft can be successful and, most importantly, keep Brady upright for the remainder of the season.

"Marcus has always played well for us," Belichick said via the Boston Globe. "Two years ago when he was in for Vollmer, last year the opportunities that he had early in the year, particularly at tackle, and then this year he’s played in every game, played a number of snaps in all of our games, so he’s always done a good job for us when he’s been in there.

"I’m glad we have him."

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Patriots O-line still working to get back to 100 percent

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

As OTAs hit the halfway point for the New England Patriots, there have been some sizeable absences thus far among the masses. About 1,000 combined pounds worth, to be precise.

Finishing up Day 6 of the team’s 10-day workout schedule, three big bodies have yet to enter into full-speed team activities – starting left tackle Nate Solder, starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer and rookie fourth-rounder Cameron Fleming.

According to Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston, Vollmer has practiced but not been able to move into 11-on-11 drills, while Solder has been with the rehabilitation crowd. Fleming, though healthy, is still waiting for Stanford’s graduation to take place before he can participate.

Patriots get blocking boost with Vollmer, Fells back

Photo: Beth Hart, Flickr 

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New England Patriots needed a boost to the exterior of their offensive line, which has been subpar through two preseason games.

They got a little help over the weekend with starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer being activated off the PUP list. Marcus Cannon, who will be Vollmer's game day replacement until he's ready, struggled Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vollmer, who practiced in front of the media for the first time Wednesday, had already begun working on the field with the team sometime between Saturday and Wednesday, according to Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

The fourth-year veteran played in just seven games last season due to multiple injuries and isn't sure if he'll be good to go for the team's Week 1 opener against the Tennessee Titans.

"I have no idea. I'm obviously making progress, working as hard as I can, and if i'm ready, I'm ready. If I'm not, I'm not," Vollmer told ESPN Boston. "I'm obviously hoping so and doing whatever I can to do it."

Tight end Daniel Fells also came off the PUP list last weekend and began practicing Wednesday. While he's projected to be the third tight end behind Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, Fells is a stout blocker and certainly can be used to help New England's struggling offensive tackles, namely left tackle Nate Solder.

Cannon not quite a sophomore, but no rookie, either

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Patriots offensive lineman Marcus Cannon is still a rookie in a way.

Cannon was selected by New England in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, but he didn't make it to the active roster until October, as he was recovering from cancer treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma he underwent during the summer.

After spending the first half of the season on the Non-Football injury list, Cannon was activated prior to Week 11 and went on to see playing time in seven games.

"I think what he was able to do last year was build a base and get an understanding of the offense and things that we were doing and his position and so forth," Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the media Thursday. "I think he started at a much higher point this year than he did last year when he came back in October from the PUP situation.

"Of course the opportunity for him to be out on the field every day in the spring and in OTAs, the offseason program and now in training camp has been tremendous. That’s so important for him. He’s gotten a lot out of it. He’s improved so many things from where he was at the end of the season because he just didn’t have that base to build on last year."

New England is glad to have Cannon, as its offensive line is in a major transition period with longtime tackle Matt Light retiring, veteran guard Brian Waters yet to report to camp and a few injuries keeping other important contributors, including guard Logan Mankins, from participating in the early part of camp.

Patriots tackle Vollmer may play again this year

BY SAM HOLLINGSWORTH

If there’s even a sliver of hope that a player may be able to contribute for the Patriots before season’s end, head coach Bill Belichick will be patient.

And that’s probably why New England hasn’t placed Sebastian Vollmer, one of the team’s second-round draft picks in 2009, on IR yet. He’s been out since Week 12 and getting treatment, hoping to return before the end of the season, although there’s still no true timetable for his return.

A look at Patriots' latest call-up, OL Cannon

The New England Patriots activated rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon from the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday, months after the college standout was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft (138th overall) out of Texas Christian University, the 6-foot-5, 358-pound Cannon illustrated outstanding potential in his 49 games with TCU, which included 36 starts. He missed only two games in college with an ankle injury in 2008.