Harold

Landry

The Patriots enter Sunday against the Broncos in relatively good shape. Landry was ruled out before the weekend, but the team does have Mack Hollins returning for his first game since Week 16 against the Ravens, giving Drake Maye an added element in the passing game.

Landry didn’t practice all week and played just 11 snaps against the Texans. New England’s backup ends will once again be counted on to make some big splash pressures against the Broncos on Sunday. Landry’s status for the Super Bowl, should the Pats advance, would appear to be questionable.

Landry still has a chance to play, though it would be nice to see him resume practicing tomorrow. The veteran pass rusher ranks third on the team in quarterback pressures (50), second in sacks (nine) and 10th in tackles (28). Patriots LB Marte Mapu (hip) was also absent on Thursday.

Landry has been dealing with the knee issue for a few weeks now but played through it the first two playoff games for the Patriots. Also not practicing was LB Marte Mapu (hip). Mapu has not played in the playoffs yet, so he is more of a question mark. Given he has played through the knee injury already, Landry has a better chance of playing in the AFC Championship.

He didn’t practice today. Landry played 26 snaps against the Chargers last week and would figure to be part of a rotation at EDGE if he were able to go — the Pats have managed him through practices so we’re not surprised to see him on the injury report, but a DNP on Friday is different than the norm for him. Backup RB Terrell Jennings (concussion) is questionable after two full practices on Thursday and Friday and could come off injured reserve tomorrow. Khyiris Tonga (foot) is not on the injury report at all after two full sessions. His return is great news for the New England run defense.

The good news for the Patriots is that Robert Spillane (ankle) practiced in full and appears likely to play on Sunday, giving them one of their two big run stuffers back against the Chargers. Mike Vrabel also said that OLB/DE Harold Landry (knee) was questionable for the Wild Card Round.

Spillane is one of New England’s best run-stuffers and getting him as healthy as possible for the playoffs is of paramount importance to the Patriots. He hasn’t set foot on the field since Week 13, but was spotted at practice on Friday. Mike Vrabel also ruled out LG Jared Wilson (concussion), DT Khyiris Tonga (foot), and OLB Harold Landry (knee) against the Dolphins.

Landry has been managed all season and it’s possible he’s getting a get-right week here ahead of the playoffs. The Patriots also ruled out Robert Spillane (ankle) yet again, leaving their run defense slightly less imposing for those who are still trying to rely on Breece Hall in Week 17.

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.

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.