Report: Patriots' Vollmer likely headed to IR; Mason suffers broken hand

New England Patriots offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer is likely to be placed on injured reserve, reports Boston Globe's Jim McBride, citing a source.

The Patriots also suffered an injury to their interior offensive line as guard Shaq Mason suffered a broken hand and has no timetable for a return, a league source told McBride.

Vollmer began camp on the physically unable to perform list. The Patriots did not announce the injury, but Tom E. Curran of CSNNE reports that a nagging hip problem is the issue, while NFL Network's Ian Rapoport adds that Vollmer also underwent offseason shoulder surgery.

The 32-year-old German started 13 contests for the Patriots last season at right tackle, and was projected to fill that role again this year. Mason, a second-year player, was also expected to contribute after starting 10 games at left guard in his rookie season.

He's been a regular on the team's offensive line since his rookie year in 2008, and was named to the All-Pro second team in 2010.

LaAdrian Waddle and Marcus Cannon are the most likely candidates to fill Vollmer's role at starting right tackle, while Josh Kline will be expected to fill in for Mason.