The New England Patriots have begun preparation for their battle with the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60. They will need everyone playing their best football to secure another Lombardi Trophy, which is why the latest news around linebacker Robert Spillane's health is concerning.
Head coach Mike Vrabel spoke with the media on Thursday, revealing that he doesn't think Spillane will practice due to an ongoing ankle injury, per Brian Hines of Pats Pulpit. That isn't ideal since Spillane was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday, adding to his uncertain outlook.
Even though the Super Bowl isn't until Feb. 8, the concerns surrounding Spillane continue to grow, as it remains to be seen if any positive updates will be on the horizon.
Robert Spillane's Super Bowl Outlook Grows Grimmer with Another Missed Practice
Spillane injured his ankle in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, finishing with just 13 total snaps. If he can't play in the Super Bowl, that would be a huge blow to the middle of this defense. He came to town on a three-year, $33 million deal and provided them with a force at the second level.
Spillane quickly became a focal point for New England, as he was a three-down player who had outstanding leadership skills. He is also a team captain and calls the plays for the defense.
For the first 13 weeks of the season, he played in 95.4% of the defensive snaps before he injured his foot in Week 15 against the Buffalo. The 30-year-old returned for the postseason and played in 96.3% of the snaps against the Chargers and Texans.
It's no secret how important Spillane is to this defense. Aside from being the main communicator on the field, he was a major contributor. The Western Michigan product led the team in total tackles (97) during the regular season.
If Spillane can't take on the Seahawks, the Patriots will have to lean on Jack Gibbens, who replaced Spillane against Denver. Gibbens was also a contributor for this team, ranking third on the team in total tackles (81). Still, he only has one postseason start under his belt compared to Spillane's five, which could make all the difference when the Lombardi Trophy is on the line.
Only time will tell if Spillane will be able to play against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. As of now, things don't look promising, making his health something for Patriots fans to closely monitor between now and next weekend.