Christian

Elliss

The Patriots will also be without their top-two backup CBs, Karon Prunty (hamstring) and Channing Canada (hamstring). The Patriots listed S Kevin Byard (chest), S Craig Woodson (shoulder) and LB Christian Elliss (chest) as questionable. This is good news for the Bears’ passing attack.

Fellow Patriots LB Harold Landry (knee) was also sidelined. Fortunately, Patriots LB Christian Elliss (illness) resumed practicing in a limited capacity. The Ravens’ linebackers are tasked with stopping the Ravens’ rushing attack this weekend. The secondary is also dealing with injuries.

Spillane was a late addition to the injury report last week with a foot issue. He is now listed with an ankle injury, though we suspect they are one and the same. Spillane was active for Week 15 but did not play a snap. He was later spotted in a walking boot. Christian Ellis and Harold Landry also missed today’s practice. That is the Patriots’ top two tacklers and No. 1 pass-rusher all on the sidelines for Wednesday’s session. Their defense could be in a bind if all three are ruled out for Week 16.

The Patriots’ first training camp practice is scheduled for July 23rd. This report fails to provide clarity on Tavai’s expected participation status, though ESPN’s Mike Reiss does list LBs Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens as Tavai’s “projected top competition” for the No. 2 inside linebacker job. Free agent signee, LB Robert Spillane, is locked into the No. 1 spot.

Elliss will remain with the Patriots after the team opted to match the Raiders’ offer to the restricted free agent. Elliss was a key member of the Patriots’ defense last season, starting in five of the 16 games he appeared in while racking up 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. He also forced one fumble and picked off one pass. It was the best season of Elliss’ four-year career. He should have plenty of opportunities to contribute to Mike Vrabel’s new-look defense next season.

Elliss was a restricted free agent this year and the Patriots assigned him the right of first refusal tender. That means they get to match the Raiders’ offer to keep Elliss in town but don’t receive any draft picks if they let him go. New England signed linebacker Jack Gibbens earlier today, possibly signaling their intent to let the Raiders have Elliss. The Pats have until Monday to decide.

The Patriots can match any offer that Elliss receives as he has been given the right of first refusal tender. Elliss started five games for the Patriots last year, making 42 solo tackles and defending five passes. He finished with a pretty solid 72.6 PFF defensive grade. The Raiders could be looking to get the Patriots back for the Robert Spillane signing. However, the Raiders would likely have to craft a pretty creative and/or exorbitant contract for the Patriots to not match.

The Pats cut Montgomery to make room for linebacker Christian Elliss. They claimed Elliss off waivers after the Eagles cut him earlier this week. Montgomery got a few snaps at backup running back over the past few weeks. That role will now fall to JaMychal Hasty. Given Montgomery’s specials teams utility, he should be able to find a new team or at least a practice squad soon.