"Middle linebacker Robert Spillane emerged from New England's Week 13 win over the New York Giants with foot and ankle injuries, but the severity, in a game the Patriots led 30-7 at halftime, was kept under the radar. That Spillane, who carried a questionable designation into the Bills game last week, was officially active after pregame warmups made his injury seem like a completely non-issue."
"It has suddenly blossomed into a major problem for Mike Vrabel's defense. Spillane was surprisingly held out of Sunday's game against the Bills, even as Josh Allen and company pummeled the Patriots with five consecutive touchdown drives to flip an early 21-0 deficit. We're now starting to understand why, as Vrabel officially ruled Spillane out for Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens on Friday afternoon."
"If there's one player on this Patriots roster the team cannot replace, it's obviously quarterback Drake Maye. You could make a real case for Spillane being No. 2 on that list, though. Even after sitting out the Bills games, Spillane leads all Patriots defenders with 97 total tackles on the season. His pursuit in run defense has also been critical, as per Pro Football Focus, he leads the team in total run-stuffs with 31."
Robert Spillane suffered foot and ankle injuries in Week 13 versus the New York Giants, with the severity initially kept under the radar despite a questionable designation entering the following game. He was made active for the Bills game after pregame warmups but was surprisingly held out during that game. Head coach Mike Vrabel ruled Spillane out for Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, further weakening New England's defense. Spillane leads the Patriots with 97 total tackles and 31 run-stuffs per Pro Football Focus. Backup inside linebackers Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens started in his absence. Multiple defenders are listed as questionable.
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