Patriots Rumors: Why Starting Lineman Was Put On Exempt List

The Patriots made a significant roster move one day before their home opener.

New England placed Chukwuma Okorafor on the exempt/left squad list Saturday afternoon. The designation was settled less than one week after Okorafor was benched for poor play in the Patriots' season-opening road win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

According to MassLive's Karen Guregian, New England put the offensive lineman on the exempt/left squad list because he's "reconsidering if he still wants to play football." Although the designation often is used for players who leave their respective teams without notice, Okorafor's agents were in contact with the Patriots about their client's status.

New England signed Okorafor to a one-year, $4 million deal back in March after the 2018 third-round pick spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 27-year-old started at left tackle for the Patriots in Week 1 but was quickly replaced by Vederian Lowe, who has dealt with his own significant struggles in Foxboro, Mass.

Lowe likely will protect Jacoby Brissett's blind side again Sunday when New England hosts the Seattle Seahawks. After the Patriots put Okorafor on the exempt/left squad list, ESPN's Mike Reiss expressed his opinion that the veteran O-lineman won't play for New England again this season.