New England Patriots Shut Riley Reiff’s Return Window For Rest Of 2023

The 21-day return window has closed without an activation for Riley Reiff.

The veteran offensive lineman will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the New England Patriots’ 2023 season.

“No, he’s not going to be able to make it back,” head coach Bill Belichick confirmed during his Wednesday press conference at Gillette Stadium.

Reiff, 35, signed a one-year, $5 million contract with New England in March. The former All-American out of the University of Iowa projected to play a starting part. Instead, his lone appearance brought 45 offensive snaps amid attrition at left and right guard in a 34-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

A lingering knee injury stemming from the preseason finale saw Reiff placed on injured reserve in September after the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline passed, keeping him eligible. The No. 23 overall pick in the 2012 draft was activated in early October only to be sent back to injured reserve two weeks later.

Reiff resumed practicing midway through November, yet went from a limited participant to a non-participant last Thursday and continued to be listed as questionable.

“He’s a player that has a lot of flexibility,” said Belichick. “I mean, there’s a lot to like about him. Unfortunately, he’s just had really three setbacks here. It’s just unfortunate.”

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The longtime offensive tackle stands 149 starts and 164 games into a career that has spanned stops with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. His arrival in Foxborough followed fellow blocker Calvin Anderson’s two-year, $7 million deal as free agency opened. The latter also resides on injured reserve after beginning the campaign on the non-football illness list and appearing in five games, including a pair of starts at right tackle.

At the end of August, the Patriots looked to shore up the bookend depth by making two trades. Tyrone Wheatley Jr., who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for running back Pierre Strong Jr., handled five snaps on special teams before landing on injured reserve. And Vederian Lowe, who was acquired from Minnesota in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick, has become a healthy scratch after starting five consecutive games between the tackle spots.

Impending free agents Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu move forward as the starters on both sides of the offensive line. The left tackle has been in a recent rotation with Conor McDermott, a promotion from the practice squad, as he manages multiple injuries. The right tackle, meanwhile, played a team-high 99.43% of the downs at right guard in 2022 and has kicked outside for the past six matchups.

The 2-10 Patriots visit the 7-5 Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Kickoff at Acrisure Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.