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The New England Patriots' interior offensive line was a question mark heading into the 2015 season. Last year's starting guards Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell were retired and injured, respectively, while the team invested two high draft picks in guards Tre' Jackson and Shaq Mason. Only one position seemed in safe hands: the center spot.
However, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, it won't be for the first eight weeks of the season:
Patriots have placed starting center Bryan Stork (concussion) on injured reserve, with a designation to return.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 9, 2015
Stork was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the goal of becoming the team's long-term solution at center. By week four, the rookie became the starter and he never looked back; justifying the team spending a high pick on the former Florida State Seminole.
The only thing to slow Stork down: injuries - and it seems as if they do it again.
The 24-year old has suffered three concussions in the past three years and the Patriots are obviously trying to protect their center as well as they can. This means that keeping him out the first eight weeks of the season is absolutely the right move, if the team wants to limit the possibility of Stork re-injuring his head again.
Due to the rules, the Patriots' center can start practicing after week six and can re-join the team for competitive games after week eight.
Get well soon, Bryan!