The New England Patriots are prioritizing health as they head into their regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Mike Vrabel officially ruled out four key starters on Friday, signaling a cautious approach for a team already locked into the postseason but still vying for critical AFC seeding.
The defensive front seven will be the most impacted unit on Sunday. Linebackers Harold Landry III (knee) and Robert Spillane (ankle) have both been sidelined, along with defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot). Spillane’s absence is particularly noteworthy; while the 30-year-old veteran will miss the matchup against Miami, he provided a glimmer of hope by returning to the practice field in a limited capacity on Friday. This marks his first appearance at practice in several weeks, suggesting the team is optimistic about his availability for the Patriots’ playoff opener—whether that occurs in the Wild Card round or after a first-round bye.
Offensively, the line will be missing rookie guard Jared Wilson, who remains in the league’s concussion protocol. The team also listed fullback Jack Westover as questionable with an ankle injury, further thin-ning the depth for New England’s power-run schemes.
However, it isn’t all bad news for the Foxborough faithful. The Patriots used the Saturday 4 p.m. ET deadline to provide a massive boost to their active roster. Both left tackle Will Campbell (knee) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) were officially activated off injured reserve. Campbell, a standout rookie, and Williams, a vital interior disruptor, were full participants in practice this week. Their return offers the Patriots a chance to shake off any “rust” in a live game setting before the high-stakes environment of the playoffs begins.
As Coach Vrabel noted earlier this week, the objective remains to “finish what we started.” By balancing the return of elite talent like Campbell and Williams with the rest afforded to Landry and Spillane, New England is attempting to thread the needle: securing a win against a divisional rival while ensuring their core is ready for a deep January run.
