Pats Pulpit
One week after cornerback Christian Gonzalez made his season debut, another starter level contributor is getting close to returning to the New England Patriots defense. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who has been sidelined since sustaining a calf injury during organized team activities in June, was a full practice participant throughout the week.
While officially still on injured reserve, the Patriots activating him to their 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills would not be a surprise. They labeled him as “questionable” on their final injury report of the week.
On Friday, head coach Mike Vrabel gave a status update on the 29-year-old and his attempt at a comeback.
“Worked really hard to be in shape, trying to simulate football shape and his return to play, trying to maximize the time away from the actual practice, and working with our training staff, working with our strength coaches and was ready to go,” Vrabel said. “It was exciting to see him get out there and get practice — defense and the special teams — and trying to see where he’s at. We’ll see how he responds in the morning, and then we’ll make a decision going forward.”
The longest tenured linebacker on the roster, Tavai — unlike fellow veteran Ja’Whaun Bentley — was retained by the Patriots’ new-look coaching staff around Vrabel during the offseason. He went on to spend considerable time with the starters during spring workouts, primarily as a running mate next to Robert Spillane.
However, on June 2, he hurt his calf during an 11-on-11 drill during OTAs. The injury was initially expected to keep him out at least until the start of training camp nearly two months later.
In actuality, Tavai ended up missing four months.
The Patriots, however, have been expecting his return; they even have kept a spot open on the 53-man roster for multiple weeks now in anticipation of his activation. And once he is back with the team, it sounds like the Patriots will find a spot for him. After all, Vrabel highlighted versatility as a key element of his game.
“I think he plays with good technique. I think he can play multiple spots,” Vrabel said. “I think he’s an instinctive player. I think he sees the field. I think he understands different concepts. He’s a veteran player that’s played in multiple spots, so there’s a versatility there. I like his fundamentals. He’s done a lot of different things in other places that he’s been and here.”
