Carlton

Davis

The Patriots again will be without their leading tackler for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. Spillane was unable to get on the practice field this week and hasn’t played since Week 13 against the Giants. In addition to Spillane, the Patriots also listed CB Carlton Davis, CB Marcus Jones, EDGE Harold Landry, and DT Christian Barmore as questionable for Week 16.

Patriots CB Marcus Jones (knee) was also sidelined, and the linebacker corps has three players who are either hurt or ill. The Patriots face the Ravens’ up-and-down offense in Week 16. Although it is far from one of the NFL’s best offenses at this time, it would be nice to get either Davis or Jones on the field this weekend.

Davis left Week 15 with the hip issue and did not return. Fellow cornerback Marcus Jones was also listed as a DNP today. He is dealing with a knee issue. With other starters in the front seven also out of practice, the Patriots could be severely undermanned for their Week 16 date with the Ravens.

Davis went into the blue medical tent in the third quarter and then immediately walked back into the locker room. We’d say that this should help the Bills’ wide receivers get open, but we doubt it would be true.

Vrabel declined to comment on the health of his lineman and what led to his injury, but Williams was limited on Wednesday before being a DNP on Thursday, so it’s safe to assume he is legitimately questionable heading into the AFC East showdown against the Bills. Williams has totaled nine tackles and two sacks this season to go with five TFLs. In addition to Williams, Vrabel also said LB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), CB Carlson Davis (illness), and LB Jahlani Tavai (calf) would all be questionable for Week 5.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the contract includes $34.5 million guaranteed. It’s a good deal for the 28-year-old corner. Davis played well in his lone season with the Lions, totaling 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. However, he suffered a broken jaw late in the year and ended the season on injured reserve. After seven NFL seasons, Davis has yet to play more than 14 games in a single year. For the Patriots, Davis’s health is worth the gamble as they had over $120 million in cap space heading into free agency. Signing him is just one of many moves they will be making over the next week as they look to spend a war chest of cash.

On the same day, the Lions learned they lost defensive tackle Alim McNeill for the season they also learned they would be without Davis for the foreseeable future. Davis will almost certainly be out for the remainder of the regular season, but there is a chance he could return for the postseason if the Lions make a deep enough push. That will prove difficult with so many key defenders on injury reserve, but Detroit’s high-powered offense gives them a fighting chance in any given week. Davis has started all 13 games he’s appeared in for the Lions this season, totaling 56 tackles two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 11 pass breakups. His absence will be felt by a defense that has been marred by injuries this season.

This is a brutal blow for the Lions’ secondary. Davis currently ties for a team-high 10 forced incompletions and ranks third on the team in interceptions (two). The 28-year-old veteran is a free agent after this season.

In addition to the jaw injury, Davis is being evaluated for a concussion after making a tackle on Buffalo Bills’ runnig back Ray Davis early in the second quarter. The Lions defense has lost a lot of players on the defensive line and in the linebacker corps, so their secondary has had to carry them lately. Losing Davis against the Buffalo offense would be a tough blow.

Decker’s absence is a big blow for a Lions offensive line tasked with slowing Bears DE Montez Sweat. The Lions’ defense will also be short-staffed; CB Carlton Davis III (knee/thumb) has likewise been ruled out.