The New England Patriots returned from their bye week on Monday and wasted no time getting back to business, hitting the indoor field at the WIN Waste Management Field House. After a much-needed break, the team saw several key players return to action - a welcome sight as they prepare for a crucial late-season stretch.
Among the most notable returns was starting left guard Jared Wilson, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury suffered back in Week 12 against the Bengals. Wilson was back in his usual spot during positional drills, lining up between left tackle Vederian Lowe and center Garrett Bradbury. His presence brings stability back to the offensive line, which had been reshuffled in his absence.
Ben Brown, who stepped in for Wilson and held his own with 65 snaps and just two pressures allowed, now shifts back into a top reserve role. Brown’s performance while filling in was impressive and gives the Patriots some added depth and flexibility along the interior line - something that could prove valuable as injuries continue to take their toll across the league.
Special teams captain Brenden Schooler also returned to the fold after missing last week’s Monday night matchup with the Giants due to an ankle injury of his own. His return boosts a Patriots special teams unit that leans heavily on his leadership and energy.
On the defensive side, lineman Khyiris Tonga was present after missing last week’s game with a chest injury. While he didn’t participate in positional drills and appears to still be limited, his presence alone is a positive sign.
Linebacker Robert Spillane was also limited on Monday. Spillane played a season-low 39 defensive snaps against the Giants, and while there’s no word yet on whether that was injury-related or part of a rotation, head coach Mike Vrabel emphasized last week that the team is managing workloads across the board.
“I think that just playing everybody and where we are in the season - Harold [Landry III] was in that category as well,” Vrabel said previously, pointing to the team’s trust in its depth and the need to keep players fresh down the stretch.
As for Landry, the veteran edge rusher was not spotted at Monday’s session as he continues to deal with a knee issue. He was joined on the absence list by running back Terrell Jennings, who remains in concussion protocol after missing the Giants game with a head injury.
The Patriots will be back on the practice field Wednesday, when they’ll release their first official injury report of the week ahead of a divisional showdown with the Buffalo Bills. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium - and with the postseason picture tightening, every snap from here on out carries just a little more weight.