FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that it’s “too early to tell” if four key players will be returning from injury this week against the Chargers.
The Patriots open the postseason Sunday night against the Chargers at 8 p.m. ET, and the statuses of linebacker Robert Spillane, outside linebacker Harold Landry, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and left guard Jared Wilson bear monitoring.
Spillane has not played since before the Patriots’ Week 14 bye week. Spillane — one of the Patriots’ best defenders, was active for the Patriots’ Week 15 loss to the Bills, but he did not play. He did not practice prior to the Patriots’ Week 16 and 17 games but was limited in last Friday’s practice with an ankle injury.
Jack Gibbens has filled Spillane’s role admirably, but the Patriots’ run defense was better early in the season with Spillane on the field.
Landry played the first 15 games of the season but has missed the last two games with a knee injury. Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder have primarily filled in for Landry. Jennings registered two tackles for loss and two QB hits in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, while Ponder had a sack.
Tonga hasn’t played since injuring his foot in Week 16. Younger defensive tackles, including Cory Durden and Eric Gregory, have stepped up in his place. The Patriots also got Milton Williams back from injury in Week 18.
Wilson has been in concussion protocol for the last two weeks. Ben Brown has started four games this season in Wilson’s place and earned a two-year contract extension for his efforts.
Vrabel would say that cornerback Alex Austin (wrist), who is on injured reserve, will continue practicing.