Patriots Place Offensive Lineman Ryan Wendell on Injured Reserve, Activate Bryan Stork

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots have placed interior lineman Ryan Wendell on the season-ending injured reserve and have activated 2014 starting center Bryan Stork.

Wendell missed the early part of the season with an illness and recently filled in for the injured Tre Jackson at the end of the Dolphins game. It appears that the team captain suffered a knee injury that required the Patriots to end his season. With left tackle Nate Solder on the injured reserve as well, the Patriots will likely appoint another offensive lineman (look to veteran Sebastian Vollmer) as temporary captain. Wendell is a free agent after this season.

Stork has missed the early part of the season with a neck/concussion injury and will likely step into some serious action in his first game back. While Stork was drafted as a center, undrafted rookie David Andrews has filled in the role admirably. Injuries to rookie guards Shaq Mason and Tre Jackson mean that veteran Josh Kline is the only healthy option, so it's possible that Stork will have to play a different position. NESN's Doug Kyed reported that Stork has been practicing at guard.

Stork was a tight end in high school and played both guard and tackle at Florida State, so he's a good fit to fill in at guard. Andrews has been a center his entire football career.

Tackle Marcus Cannon and guard Tre Jackson have already been declared OUT for this Sunday's game against Washington. With Mason nursing a knee injury, the Patriots could field a unit of Vollmer, Stork, Andrews, Kline, and Cameron Fleming, with Mason as the alternate off the bench. Tight end Michael Williams is the emergency offensive tackle.