PHOENIX -- New England Patriots starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer underwent shoulder surgery after the Super Bowl, according to a source, which has altered his offseason to more of a focus on rehabilitation than a traditional workout regimen.

The surgery was to Vollmer’s labrum, the source said, and was more of a nagging injury that he played effectively through in 2014 and was never considered serious enough to keep him out of games. There is optimism among those close to Vollmer that he will be ready for action when it counts.

In recent weeks, Vollmer has been spending time at Gillette Stadium as part of his rehabilitation.

In 2014, Vollmer played in the first 15 games of the regular season before being rested for the finale against the Buffalo Bills when the Patriots' playoff seeding was solidified. He then played in all three games in the playoffs.

The 6-foot-8, 320-pound seven-year veteran is considered one of the NFL’s better right tackles, as he received three votes in 2014 for All-Pro consideration. Most recently, ESPN.com NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper revisited the 2009 draft and opined that he would have been the ninth overall pick that year (instead of a late second-rounder, No. 58 overall) if teams could re-draft.

Vollmer joins linebacker Dont'a Hightower, defensive lineman Sealver Siliga, defensive tackle Chris Jones and offensive lineman Ryan Wendell as players known to be recovering from offseason surgery.