Patriots Center Dan Koppen Breaks Ankle In Opener
BOSTON (CBS) - An already thin Patriots offensive line got a little thinner Monday Night.
Patriots center Dan Koppen was carted off the field in Miami after suffering a left ankle injury late in the first half and was seen on the sidelines in the second half on crutches.
WBZ-TV's Dan Roche is reporting Koppen suffered a broken left ankle.
"That's tough man; he's the best," quarterback Tom Brady said after the Patriots 38-24 win. "He and I have a great chemistry between the two of us, we always have. He's one of my great friends, and I hope he's back at some point."
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Dan Connolly replaced Koppen after he left.
"It's been a long time," Brady said when asked about the last time he took a snap from someone other than Koppen. "We're certainly going to miss him, but at the same time other guys have to step in and do the job. I think that's part of what this game is all about. It's other guys stepping in when they're called upon and executing just like Koppen would be in there. Hopefully we get him back at some point."
Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby fell on Koppen's leg during a play, leading to the injury.
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New England was already without Sebastian Vollmer, who was inactive for the game with a back injury. Rookie Nate Solder filled in for Vollmer, making his NFL debut.
