Khyiris

Tonga

Tonga will get $14 million guaranteed. The premium run-stuffer was a big part of the solution for New England’s defensive line last season. He’ll try to help the Chiefs turn around their run defense after a down year in 2025.

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.

Patriots OLB Anfernee Jennings (illness) and OT Morgan Moses (illness) resumed practicing in full. Patriots OT Vederian Lowe (illness) remained sidelined, and did DT Khyiris Tonga (foot). All ill players have a chance to play in the Patriots’ Wild Card Round game against the Chargers.

Bradbury joins OLB Anfernee Jennings, OT Vederian Lowe, and OT Morgan Moses as players out with illness on Wednesday. The only non-illness absence on the active roster for the Pats was DT Khyiris Tonga (foot). Sitting with illness this early in the week generally does not mean the players will miss the game, but it is certainly a situation to keep an eye on for the Pats’ offensive line heading into the Wild Card round against the Chargers. Tonga is a key run stuffer that will have a couple more chances to practice ahead of Sunday’s game.

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.

Ian Rapoport’s sourced timeline on Tonga’s recovery should have him ready for New England’s first playoff game. New England will be desperately trying to get him, Robert Spillane, and Milton Williams as ready as they can be for the playoffs after the run defense has sprung a leak over the last month.

A former seventh-round pick of the Bears back in 2021, Tonga has spent most of his career as a backup. He’s started seven of the 53 games he has appeared in and is now set to join his fourth team in five seasons. Tonga will likely serve as a rotational player in Mike Vrabel’s defense, and has been used primarily on rush downs during his career.

A seventh-rounder in 2021, Tonga was waived by the Bears after just one year. He joined the Falcons’ practice squad in 2022 but was scooped up by the Vikings midway through the season. Tonga appeared in 14 games last year and totaled 15 tackles plus one TFL. He will be a depth option for the Cardinals’ defensive line and could get some run on special teams.

The 2021 seventh-rounder was on Atlanta’s practice squad. Minnesota had an extra 53-man spot after placing Lewis Cine on injured reserve. Ross Blacklock and James Lynch have barely played in the Vikings interior rotation and Tonga might be here to push them for a job.