FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Though starting left tackle Nate Solder returned to practice Tuesday after a multi-week absence, he did not travel with the New England Patriots for Friday night's preseason game against the Detroit Lions. Thus, in a game in which quarterback Tom Brady and many other top players are expected to have their most extended workload of the preseason, Brady's blindside bears watching.
This highlights the importance of fourth-year offensive tackle Cameron Fleming.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Fleming started in place of Solder in Saturday's preseason loss to the Houston Texans.