The left side of the Patriots offensive line was already set for a change this season in the wake of Nate Solder leaving in free agency. All of a sudden, it appears that more changes could be on the way.

According to ESPN, starting left guard Joe Thuney will have foot surgery this offseason. The procedure reportedly won’t keep him out for the 2018 season, but will likely mean he misses the team’s upcoming organized team activities and minicamp. It remains to be seen how [...]

Mark Daniels

Entering this third season, this 2016 third-round pick has been an every-day starter for the Patriots since Day 1 at left guard. Thuney started all 16 games during his 2016 rookie season and again started all 16 games last season for the Patriots. Last season, the guard’s performance was up and down. In the last two years, Thuney has started out strong, but his performance seemed to suffer in the season half.

Overall, Pro Football Focus had Thuney graded at 79.0, which put him 14th overall among guards. For comparison’s sake, right guard Shaq Mason was graded at 81.1 and ranked 10th overall.

One thing that’s worth watching this offseason is who lines up at left guard for the Patriots and whether or not Thuney’s injury paves way for another player to steal his starting job.

This is where things could get interesting for the Patriots. Already, there’s going to be a competition for the team’s starting left tackle spot. Players in the running for that include Isaiah Wynn, LaAdrian Waddle, Trent Brown, Cole Croston, Matt Tobin, Antonio Garcia, Jason King, Andrew Jelks and Ulrick John. At left guard, players like Ted Karras, Wynn, Croston, Tobin and Luke Bowanko could all compete for reps with the first-team offense.

Wynn seems like the most interesting player in all of this. He was an All-American left tackle at Georgia and the Patriots selected him 23rd overall. Although the Pats likely drafted him to play tackle, his 6-foot-3 stature does suggest he could play guard. In the event that the Patriots want a veteran at left tackle this season, they could start either Brown or Waddle at left tackle. That could potentially clear the way for Wynn to play left guard and subsequently push Thuney for the job.

Last year, Karras was the Patriots’ top backup when it came to the interior of their offensive line. He started two games at center. During his 2016 rookie season, he started one game at right guard. A free agent signing, Bowanko could also factor into the competition. A four-year veteran, he’s made 15 career starts in the NFL – 14 at center and one at left guard. Another free agent signing, Tobin, also has NFL experience at guard. He's started 21 games in his five NFL seasons - at both left and right guard.

Report: Patriots LG Joe Thuney to have foot surgery