Patriots expect offensive line coach out ‘a little while’ with health issue
FOXBORO — It sounds like the Patriots will be going to Germany this week without offensive line coach Adrian Klemm.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed Wednesday that Klemm, who wasn’t available to the media in Tuesday’s assistant coach video conference call session, will be out “a little while” with a health issue. Klemm, a Patriots 2000 NFL Draft pick, was hired this offseason from the University of Oregon.
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“Yeah, we’ll work through it on the offensive staff,” Belichick said. “Yeah, (assistant offensive line coach) Billy (Yates) of course will be a part of it.”
The Patriots travel to Germany on Thursday to take on the Colts in Frankfurt on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Belichick was initially asked what was keeping Klemm out before confirming it was health-related.
“Do you want to put him on the injury report? I mean, are you trying to get me to violate HIPAA laws and that kind of thing? I’m not going to comment on someone’s personal medical status,” Belichick said. “I appreciate the question, but I’m just not going to do that. I don’t think that’s the right thing to do. I don’t know if I’m allowed to do it. So, I’ll just skip over that one.”
The Patriots’ offensive line has allowed the 10th-lowest pressure rate this season, per Pro Football Reference. The Patriots have the third-lowest pocket time, however, with quarterbacks having an average of 2.2 seconds between the snap and a throw or pressure. The Patriots are 25th in yards before contact per rushing attempt.
The offensive line has settled in recent weeks with Mike Onwenu moving from right guard to right tackle.