Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots entered the weekend with two players listed on their injury report. While running back Terrell Jennings was later placed on injured reserve because of a concussion, the status of linebacker Robert Spillane was unclear mark heading into Sunday: the defensive captain and starting linebacker was officially questionable because of a foot issue.
However, a look at New England’s inactives for their AFC East showdown with the Buffalo Bills shows that Spillane has been cleared. The 30-year-old is not among the six inactives, suggesting that he should have at least some impact on the game after being a limited practice participant on both Thursday and Friday.
“It would mean a great deal for this organization, I know for us as players,” Spillane said this week about the Patriots potentially clinching the AFC East with a win over Buffalo. “But we’re just going to continue to keep putting the right step forward.”
The Patriots’ inactives, meanwhile, looks as follows.
With Robert Spillane good to go and no other players on the injury report as of Sunday morning, the Patriots have all available hands on deck against Buffalo. This also means that some valuable players are set to make their comebacks after missing the most recent game in Week 14 versus the New York Giants: left guard Jared Wilson (ankle), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (chest) and special teamer Brenden Schooler (ankle).
As for the inactives, all of them are healthy scratches and emergency options based on their position on the depth chart.
Whereas the Patriots will have one of their top defenders available, the Bills will not. Originally announced as questionable for the contest because of a toe injury, cornerback Christian Benford has not been cleared. Benford has been Buffalo’s top option at the position and arguably best overall player on that side of the ball.
Kickoff between the Patriots and Bills at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.
