Patriots place rookie OT Caedan Wallace on IR

Kendrick Bourne practiced for the first time this week and is one of 12 Patriots listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Caedan Wallace is expected to miss at least six weeks with an ankle injury. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

The Patriots’ offensive line took yet another blow on Friday. Promising rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace is being placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games.

Wallace was one of four different starting left tackes deployed by New England through the first four weeks of the season. The rookie never played left tackle in college, but with the Patriots under dire circumstances surrounding that position, Wallace found himself in a starting role in Week 3 against the New York Jets.

Wallace suffered an injury early in the Patriots Week 4 loss to the San Fransisco 49ers, and is expected to miss at least six weeks, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

On a more positive note, New England may soon see the returns of three other key players: Kendrick Bourne, Marte Mapu, and Sione Takitaki.

All three began their ramp-up from the PUP list and IR respectively. Bourne seemed especially excited taking the practice field for the first time since tearing his ACL last season.

Mapu showed promise as a versatile defensive piece last season, and Takitaki’s pending return would aid New England’s linebacker group, which hasn’t been as productive since losing Ja’Whaun Bentley.

Of the three, Bourne and Mapu stand the best chance to play on Sunday versus Miami. They’re both listed as questionable, while Takitaki is listed as doubtful for the AFC East matchup.

In total, 12 Patriots are being listed as questionable for Sunday. Some notable names include Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Jones, Vederian Lowe, and presumed starting center Nick Leverett.

Here’s the full injury report: