The New England Patriots are heading into a critical Week 16 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, and the injury report is raising more than a few eyebrows in Foxborough.
Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Friday that linebacker Robert Spillane will not suit up Sunday night due to a left ankle injury. That’s a big blow for a defense already reeling from last week’s 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills - a game in which Spillane was technically active but didn’t play a single snap. Without their leading tackler on the field, the Patriots gave up 349 total yards and 28 points in the second half alone.
Now, with Lamar Jackson and a surging Ravens offense on deck, the Patriots may be even more shorthanded. Four key defenders - Harold Landry III, Marcus Jones, Carlton Davis III, and Christian Barmore - are officially listed as questionable.
That’s not just a list of names; that’s the spine of New England’s defense.
Let’s start with Barmore, who didn’t practice Thursday and was limited to working on the exercise bike Friday - a routine he followed last week before logging 51 snaps against Buffalo. If he can’t go, it’s a major concern.
The Ravens are averaging an NFL-best 5.2 yards per carry, and Derrick Henry is still capable of wearing down a defensive front. Barmore’s presence in the trenches could be the difference between slowing down the run and getting steamrolled.
Then there’s Landry, who leads the team with 8.5 sacks this season. His ability to generate pressure off the edge is crucial, especially against a quarterback like Jackson who thrives when the pocket breaks down. If Landry is limited or unavailable, the Patriots will have a much tougher time containing Jackson’s dual-threat ability.
Marcus Jones has quietly become one of the most important players in the Patriots’ secondary. He leads the team with three interceptions and brings versatility as a slot corner and return specialist. His potential absence would leave a noticeable gap in coverage, particularly against a Ravens offense that’s been spreading the ball around effectively.
Carlton Davis III, meanwhile, has started all 14 games this season. He’s been a reliable presence on the outside, and with Baltimore’s receiving corps gaining momentum, his availability will be critical.
The good news? Jones, Davis, and Landry were all spotted on the field Friday, giving some hope they’ll be ready by kickoff.
But this is the kind of game where “questionable” might as well be a four-letter word. The Patriots can’t afford to be undermanned - not this late in the season, not when every snap matters in the playoff race.
Sunday night’s game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
The stakes are high, the opponent is elite, and the Patriots are walking a fine line between resilience and attrition. If they’re going to keep their postseason hopes alive, they’ll need bodies - and big performances - on defense.