Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots will close out the regular season without four.
Guard Jared Wilson, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, as well as linebackers Harold Landry III and Robert Spillane have been ruled out for the finale against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Mike Vrabel announced.
Here’s the rest of the game statuses leading up to Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
New England’s rookie left guard will remain in the NFL’s concussion protocol for a second Sunday in a row. And across the ball, three March signings will stay sidelined until the playoffs. The all-purpose Tonga has not practiced since sustaining a foot injury against the Baltimore Ravens. Knee and ankle injuries have also kept defensive captains shelved off the edges and off the ball.
Landry leads team with 8.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss. As for Spillane, who played his most recent snaps as the calendar turned to December, leads the way with 97 tackles while also having a hand in one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions.
Westover was a non-participant on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day due to an ankle injury that arose on a kickoff in the fourth quarter last weekend. The converted fullback moves forward with a questionable game designation.
But additional 50-50 calls loom. When asked whether offensive tackle Will Campbell or defensive tackle Milton Williams will be activated in time for the finale, New England’s head coach provided optimism.
“We’ll see how they respond to today’s work. Try to get them a full week of work in,” Vrabel said Friday. “But I think it looks good. Both were able to work the whole week, and we’ll see where they’re at tomorrow.”
Both have resided on injured reserve with respective knee and ankle injuries since November, yet have seen their 21-day practice windows open in consecutive weeks, along with cornerback Alex Austin. The AFC East champions currently stand with an active roster of 52. The deadline for Week 18 moves arrives Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
