Patriots RT Marcus Cannon left Sunday's night Week 12 game against the Broncos in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

His return is listed as questionable. Will Svitek has replaced Cannon at right tackle.

Patriots third-year OL Marcus Cannon opened training camp as the starting right guard.

He appears to have overtaken Dan Connolly, who can play both guard and center and will now be the top interior backup. New England quietly finished second in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2012, and Cannon's promotion may indicate a greater lean on their power-running offense. Cannon is a 358-pound mauler.

ESPN Boston expects Marcus Cannon to see most of his playing time at right guard this season.

The Patriots signed Will Svitek to be their swing tackle, so Cannon will take on an expanded role at guard. He should compete with Dan Connolly for a starting job in training camp.

ESPN Boston believes Patriots G/T Marcus Cannon could see more time at guard in 2013.

Just 12 of Cannon's 178 2012 snaps came at guard, but the Pats have since signed swing-tackle Will Svitek and re-upped RT Sebastian Vollmer. Coach Bill Belichick recently lauded Cannon's development, but whatever position he plays in 2013, it will be as a reserve.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick believes reserve OT Marcus Cannon "improved tremendously as a player" last season.

"The opportunities he had to play early in the year, and even later in the year, he showed that improvement in games as well as the practice field," Belichick said. Asked if Cannon would be an option at right tackle if Sebastian Vollmer bolted in free agency, Belichick replied "that's up to him." Cannon played 166 snaps at tackle last season, and just 12 at guard.

The Boston Herald reports G/T Marcus Cannon will be considered a tackle going forward.

Cannon is capable of playing both guard and tackle, but the Patriots apparently like his 6-foot-5, 358 pound size better at tackle. With LT Matt Light reportedly considering retirement and RT Sebastian Vollmer growing increasingly injury prone, Cannon could be in line for a much bigger role next season after cancer treatments limited him to seven games as a rookie.

Patriots will add Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) off the PUP list and onto the active roster Tuesday.

It's great news for Cannon, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma prior to the NFL draft. He was cleared to practice in late October and now the Patriots are comfortable enough with his health to activate him. Cannon will add quality depth at both the tackle and guard spots.

Fifth-round rookie G/T Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) participated in his first practice with the Patriots on Tuesday.

Score another point for Cannon in his battle with lymphoma. The Pats will have a couple of weeks to decide whether to activate Cannon from the reserve/NFI list. Originally rated as an early-round prospect, Cannon could add quality depth if he impresses in practices this week and next.

Patriots rookie G/T Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) is "progressing."

On the reserve/NFI list, Cannon is eligible to begin practicing this week. "He's coming along," HC Bill Belichick said. "It's no different than any other player, once a player is cleared medically to play then it becomes a football decision as to whether to play him or not or whether to activate him on PUP or whatever." Cannon looks "healthy and fit" according to the Boston Globe's Shalise Manza Young, but seems unlikely to immediately resume practicing. It's still possible the fifth-round pick won't get into a game this season.

Patriots placed T/G Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) on the reserve/NFI list.

The Non-Football Injury list functions just like PUP, meaning Cannon will be ineligible for New England's first six games while not counting against the 53-man roster. Cannon didn't practice at all in camp and struggled at times with his weight at TCU. He may not be a contributor before the 2012 season.

Patriots rookie G/T Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) is expected to open the season on the non-football injury list.

A Boston Herald report last weekend suggested Cannon was close to receiving medical clearance, but the Pats are instead expected to keep him on NFI through Week 6. The non-football injury list acts just like PUP. Cannon probably won't be counted on for more than a reserve, swing-type role in his rookie year.

Patriots G/T Marcus Cannon (lymphoma) may soon be cleared to practice.

Cannon is on the non-football injury list, but appears to be close to his Patriots practice debut. It's far from a guarantee that he'll see game action this season, but his NFL future is again looking up after his stunning cancer diagnosis just days before last spring's draft.

Patriots G/T Marcus Cannon's (lymphoma) final chemotherapy treatment has been pushed to this week.

Cannon's hometown Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that last week would be Cannon's final week of treatment, but it was pushed back by his doctors. Cannon remains unsure of when he'll be able to return to the practice field. "We really don't know anything yet," he said. "We're just kind of waiting for the lockout to end and then we'll talk to the doctors and see where everything goes after that."