The New England Patriots are preparing to host the first playoff game at Gillette Stadium in six years, as they'll face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night in the wild-card round. New England will be a little shorthanded on the defensive line, as Mike Vrabel announced on Friday that Khyiris Tonga will not be active for the game.
Tonga has been managing a foot injury for multiple weeks now, and it seems like it’s finally caught up with him. He missed the Week 13 game against the New York Giants and the following two remaining weeks of the regular season in Weeks 16 and 17. He played in 14 games (eight starts), recording 24 tackles and two quarterback hits on a career high 337 defensive snaps, while also logging 14 offensive plays this season.
New England has been without Tonga since Week 16, when he was hurt in the game against the Baltimore Ravens. He is one of the best in the business at run-stuffing, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt along the defensive line for this game. His presence will be missed by the offense as well, as he was the designated fullback in short-yardage situations.
New England's Depth Will Be Tested Early in Playoffs
Without Tonga, the Patriots have relied heavily on their depth at the position in recent weeks this season. With star defensive tackle Milton Williams returning from injured reserve for Week 18, it was Christian Barmore who handled most of the work for the defensive line. He played in every game for the third time in his career, recording 29 tackles and two sacks with 11 hits on the quarterback.
New England has also relied on rookie Eric Gregory and Cory Durden, along with the practice squad elevations of Jeremiah Pharms and Leonard Taylor III. The position group as a whole has had tremendous depth and has been durable throughout the season. With the practice squad elevations resetting for the playoffs, the depth will have opportunities to shine again on Sunday and during the playoffs.
On Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, the defensive line is expected to take advantage of an offensive line that has been pieced together on the fly throughout the season and is hanging on its last limbs. The Patriots' defense is getting back to form with multiple starters returning with good health for the playoffs. But they’re going to need Durden and the rest of the positional depth to step up on Sunday without Tonga.
It’s worth mentioning that the Patriots will also have starting linebackers and team captains Harold Landry and Robert Spillane back on the field, which will be a huge boost for the defense. Spillane hasn’t played since Week 13 with an ankle injury, and Landry missed the final two games of the regular season with a knee injury that he’s been managing since at least Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints.
Although Tonga won’t be available, the rest of New England’s starting defense will be on the field, and that’s a positive sign heading into the playoffs.