Harold

Landry

Spillane and LB Harold Landry (knee) are both good to go. This was the expected outcome, but it is great news for the Patriots’ defense nonetheless. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported earlier today that both players could be limited to some sort of snap count, but those types of plans are sometimes cast aside once the game begins. Regardless, LB Jack Gibbens has proven himself as a capable backup.

Patriots LB Harold Landry (knee) is also expected to play. Both players were listed as questionable on Friday. ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes that both players might be unable to handle their typical workload. Spillane’s backup, LB Jack Gibbens, could be asked to “step up” if Spillane needs a few breaks. Spillane missed Weeks 15-18 with the same ankle injury, which he aggravated in the AFC Championship Game. Gibbens notably led the team with 20 tackles during Spillane’s late-season absence. Gibbens’ two pass breakups during that span also impressively tied for a team-high.

Spillane got in two limited sessions to close the week, which is a good sign. The veteran linebacker aggravated an ankle injury in the AFC Championship Game that initially sidelined him in Weeks 14-18. Patriots LB Harold Landry (knee) was limited on Wednesday, sat out on Thursday and resumed practicing in a limited capacity on Friday.

Spillane resumed practicing today after sitting out on Wednesday. He missed Weeks 14-18 with the same ankle injury, but managed to return for postseason play. Spillane aggravated the injury in the AFC Championship Game, yet remained confident that he would play in Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks. Today’s return is a good sign. Unfortunately, Patriots LB Harold Landry (knee) was downgraded today after logging a limited session on Wednesday.

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.