New England Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76) walks on the field during an NFL football training camp practice Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

Sebastian Vollmer Injury: Updates on Patriots OT's Shoulder, Hip and Return

Adam WellsAug 21, 2016

The hits keep coming for the New England Patriots, who will be without starting offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer as he recovers from reported hip and shoulder injuries. He has been placed on the PUP list, though it's unclear if he will play this season.

Continue for updates.

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Vollmer Placed on PUP List

Tuesday, Aug. 30

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Vollmer is on the reserve-PUP list, though it is likely he will not play this season.

On Aug. 21, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, Vollmer will "likely" be placed on injured reserve after spending time on the physically unable to perform list with an undisclosed injury this preseason.

Tom Curran of CSNNE.com reported Vollmer's injury is to his hip and could cost him the season. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the lineman underwent shoulder surgery and faces a recovery "too long to return."

Injury-Plagued Vollmer Crucial to Patriots Offense

Vollmer was among seven Patriots players who started training camp on the PUP list. He did have various knee problems last season that limited him to 14 games. It marked the fifth straight season in which the 32-year-old has not played a full season.

Even though Vollmer's absence will force Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to tap into his depth on the offensive line, it's nothing he hasn't done before.

Per Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus, the Patriots used 41 different combinations on the offensive line last season, whereas no other NFL team used more than 28.

No coach adapts better than Belichick, but without Tom Brady for the first four games of the season, the Patriots can afford only so many losses on offense before the pressure overwhelms quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.