New England Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL, and he has been as excellent as usual this season. The struggles of the Patriots offensive line at times can be pinned on errors made by disappointing center Ryan Wendell (he’s regressed significantly from last year’s play) and below-average right guard Dan Connolly. But Vollmer and Nate Solder continue to make one of the league’s best bookends at the tackle position, and they should both be regarded as among the league’s best at this position.

That’s what makes this news all the more difficult to swallow. Sebastian Vollmer has a reputation as an injury-prone player, but that’s due to chronic back issues (they cropped up later on in the year last season). Vollmer has suffered a leg injury in today’s game against the Miami Dolphins, as Dolphins star defensive tackle Randy Starks fell on the back of Vollmer’s legs. He needed to be carted off, and the medical staff rushed onto the field. It was such a bad injury that you could actually hear (yes, hear) Vollmer’s screams from the field.

The injury looks like an absolutely awful one, and it’s one of those injuries where you can’t help but feel extremely bad for the player. Let’s hope Vollmer is OK, because this injury looks like one that will cost him the season. It could end up being less severe than that, but there is no doubt that it looks like a very serious injury. With Vollmer down, I expect Marcus Cannon to step in as the team’s starting right tackle, but they could also start veteran backup Will Svitek instead.

The bad luck just never stops for the New England Patriots, as it’s been a brutal season for them on the injury front.

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