The Patriots have placed Stork (concussion) on IR with a designation to return.

As a result, Stork won't be able to resume practicing for six weeks, and can't play until after he has been on the list for eight weeks. In the meantime, the Patriots will look to plug their staring center void with either Ryan Wendell or David Andrews.

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss said Patriots rookie C Bryan Stork is a "viable competitor for the starting center job in training camp."

Stork's lack of athleticism limits his upside, but he is a smart player that will be given a shot to unseat incumbent starter Ryan Wendell during camp. Coming off a disastrous 2013 campaign and an offseason that saw him garner absolutely no interest on the free agent market, Wendell needs a strong camp to prove last season was just a blip on an otherwise stellar career.