Patriots anticipated to get main tackler again in opposition to Chargers

“It was all the time the purpose to be prepared for week one of many playoffs.”

Robert Spillane missed the ultimate 4 video games of the common season. (AP Photograph/Greg M. Cooper)

FOXBOROUGH — Reinforcements proceed to be on the way in which for New England’s protection.

As New England trudges via an sickness sweeping via its locker room, the Patriots are slated to get their main tackler again into the fold in linebacker Robert Spillane.

Talking on Wednesday forward of apply, the 30-year-old linebacker acknowledged that he’s in line to play on Sunday in opposition to the Chargers.

“I’m feeling nice,” Spillane mentioned. “To be part of this second could be very particular to me, and I don’t take it frivolously or without any consideration.”

Spillane had missed the ultimate 4 video games of the 2025 common season as a consequence of a foot harm. Whereas New England went 3-1 over that stretch, his presence in the course of the Patriots’ protection was missed.

One in every of New England’s high free-agent pickups, Spillane completed because the group’s main tackler with 97 throughout 13 video games whereas additionally recording two interceptions, a sack, and batting down 5 passes.

Regardless of sitting out the ultimate month of motion, Spillane careworn that his time on the shelf was mapped out in a solution to open the door for his return in January.

“Little doubt,” Spillane mentioned of his restoration timeline. “It was all the time the purpose to be prepared for week one of many playoffs.”

A wholesome Spillane bodes nicely for a Patriots protection that was anchored by a stout run protection over the primary few months of the season.

With Milton Williams clogging up working lanes on the line of scrimmage and Spillane swarming ball carriers, an opposing working again didn’t acquire 50 or extra speeding yards in opposition to New England till Week 10 of the common season.

Spillane stands as the newest key return to New England’s protection, with Williams — who missed 5 video games with an ankle harm — cleared for motion and returning to the gridiron in Week 18 in opposition to Miami.

Whereas a wholesome Milliams and Spillane will bolster New England’s run protection, the Patriots additionally want to use the Chargers’ porous offensive line and put QB Justin Herbert underneath duress.

These efforts must also be bolstered by the return of veteran edge rusher Harold Landry — who returned to apply on Wednesday after lacking the final two weeks as a consequence of a knee harm.

The previous BC product was a pressure to open the 2025 season, as he recorded 5.5 sacks over his first seven video games of the 12 months. However a nagging knee harm sapped his effectiveness down the stretch, as he solely recorded 3.0 sacks over his final eight video games earlier than touchdown on the shelf.

Landry, Williams, and edge rusher Okay’Lavon Chaisson ought to be primed for large video games in opposition to the Chargers, who gave up 54 sacks in 2025.

If New England needs to advance to the divisional spherical of the NFL playoffs, a younger roster goes to want to use Los Angeles’ weaknesses and provides Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense as many alternatives as doable to pile up factors.

“Belief yourselves,” Spillane mentioned of the message echoed by group’s veterans forward of Sunday’s sport. “You place within the work your complete life for these moments. They’re fleeting moments, and also you by no means know while you’re going to be again. Given a chance like this, go on the market, belief your self, have enjoyable and do what you’ve been doing all 12 months.”