Spillane recorded five total tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 24-23 win over Atlanta.
Spillane took a step back in Week 9, finishing tied for third on the team in takedowns with fellow linebacker Christian Elliss. Spillane had produced at least nine tackles in five of his prior six contests entering the matchup with the Falcons, but he fell way short of that figure. Regardless, the 29-year-old is off to a strong start this season, compiling 72 total tackles (37 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding two interceptions and a forced fumble over nine games so far.
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Patriots' Christian Gonzalez: Questionable to return Sunday
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Gonzalez (head) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
The cornerback had seven tackles (six solo) and two pass breakups at the time of his exit. Alex Austin and Charles Woods are the available backup corners for New England.
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Patriots' Christian Elliss: Out for remainder of Week 9
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Elliss (hip) won't return to Sunday's matchup versus Atlanta, Taylor Kyles of CLNSMedia.com reports.
Elliss was hurt late in the second quarter and was ruled out during the third period. Prior to getting hurt, he tallied five tackles, three of which came on special teams. Jahlani Tavai and Jack Gibbens are in line for increased defensive snaps in Elliss' absence.
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Patriots' Christian Elliss: Leaves game Sunday
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Elliss has a hip injury and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons.
The linebacker led the team with five tackles (one solo) at the time of his exit. Elliss came into the day with 48 tackles (22 solo), a pass breakup and a forced fumble on the year. Jahlani Tavai, Marte Mapu and Jack Gibbens are New England's other options at inside linebacker.
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Patriots' Harold Landry: Only two stops
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Landry logged two tackles (none solo) in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns.
Landry entered Sunday's game with a questionable tag due to an ankle injury. Between that and the blowout game script, Landry seemingly had his playing time limited as he matched a season low with a 70.0 percent snap rate. Landry has three or fewer tackles in three consecutive contests.
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Patriots' K'Lavon Chaisson: Quiet in win over Browns
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Chaisson recorded one tackle (none solo) in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns.
Chaisson is pacing for his best season in terms of rushing the passer, though he was quiet in Sunday's win. The Patriots logged only 1.0 sacks as a team, so Chaisson will look to get back on track in Week 9 against the Falcons.
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Patriots' Christian Elliss: Playing time rebounds
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Elliss logged three tackles (none solo) in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns.
Elliss had seen his playing time slip in recent weeks due to the return of Jahlani Tavai. He was on the field for 74 percent of defensive snaps in Sunday's blowout win -- matching his season high -- though he didn't deliver a particularly promising line.
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Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Past knee injury
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Tonga (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Tonga sustained a knee injury during New England's Week 8 win over Cleveland, but it doesn't appear to be a serious issue as he was able to practice Thursday without restriction. Barring any setbacks, the 2021 seventh-rounder is on track to play against the Falcons on Sunday. Tonga has started in each of the Patriots' last two games and has logged four tackles (two solo), including one tackle for a loss, over that span.
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Steelers' Kyle Dugger: Logs full practice Thursday
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Dugger (knee) fully participated in practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Dugger missed this past Sunday's game against Cleveland due to a knee issue. He was then traded from New England to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Dugger's ability to log a full session Thursday suggests he's healthy enough to play Sunday against Indianapolis, but he may not have had enough time to be fully up to speed with Pittsburgh's playbook. Mike DeFabo of The Athletic mentions that the Steelers have a "contingency plan" at strong safety if Dugger isn't ready for a full workload.
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Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Limited in Wednesday's practice
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Tonga (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Tonga sustained a knee injury during the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Browns, though the good news is that the injury wasn't deemed serious. He was able to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, and a full session over the next two days would put him in the clear to play against the Falcons on Sunday. The 2021 seventh-rounder has 11 tackles (five solo) over his last four games.
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49ers' Keion White: Sent to Bay Area
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The 49ers acquired White and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Patriots on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Patriots selected White in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the Georgia Tech product was an integral piece to New England's defensive line through his first two seasons with the organization. However, White saw his playing time dip over the course of the 2025 campaign, culminating in a healthy DNP for Week 8 against the Browns, per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site. White's addition gives the 49ers added depth at defensive end, which is crucial given that Nick Bosa (knee) and Tarron Jackson (undisclosed) are both on injured reserve. The Niners' defensive line is also riddled with injuries to Bryce Huff (hamstring), Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring), Sam Okuayinonu (ankle), Jordan Elliott (ankle) and Alfred Collins (shoulder), which could force San Francisco to have White active for Sunday's game against the Giants.
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Steelers' Kyle Dugger: Heads to Pittsburgh
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The Steelers acquired Dugger (knee) and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Patriots in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
After starting all 13 regular-season games in which he appeared last season, Dugger fell out of favor under the new coaching staff in New England and logged just 44 percent of the defensive snaps across the first seven weeks of the season before being inactive with a knee injury in Week 8. With DeShon Elliott (knee) looking at a multiweek absence, the Steelers needed another safety. Dugger joins Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers and Juan Thornhill at the position in Pittsburgh.
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Patriots' Marcus Jones: Nets three-year extension
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The Patriots signed Jones to a three-year contract extension Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Jones' deal contains $36 million in new money and ties him to New England through the 2028 season. A first-team All-Pro selection as a punt returner in 2022, Jones has continued to shine on special teams this season, most notably returning a punt 87 yards for a touchdown in a Week 4 win over the Panthers. However, it's on the defensive end where Jones has emerged as an indispensable piece in 2025 after having previously worked in more of a part-time role in the secondary. Through eight games, Jones has excelled as New England's top slot corner, amassing 36 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions and a sack.
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Patriots' Jaylinn Hawkins: Spectacular interception in Week 8
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Hawkins recorded five tackles (four solo) and an interception during the Patriots' 32-13 win over the Browns on Sunday.
Hawkins was cleared to play Sunday after missing the prior two games due to a hamstring injury. The 2020 fourth-rounder played every single defensive snap and arguably made the play of the game in the third quarter, when he made a one-handed, diving pick on a deep pass intended for Isaiah Bond, which led to a 39-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Kayshon Boutte five plays later. It was Hawkins' second interception of the season, which matches his career high from 2021 and 2022.
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Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Avoids serious injury
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Tonga told reporters Monday that everything is "good" after exiting Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns due to a knee injury, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Tonga played 25 total snaps (17 on defense, eight on special teams) and recorded two total tackles prior to exiting Sunday's win with a knee injury. However, following his comments Monday, it appears he avoided a serious issue. Tonga's practice participation throughout the week will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play in the Week 9 matchup with the Falcons.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Inactive for Week 8
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Dugger (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Dugger appeared to sustain a knee injury during Week 8 prep, which limited his practice participation Thursday and Friday, and will ultimately sideline him for Sunday's home game. Dugger's absence means Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and Richie Grant will serve as the Patriots' depth options at safety behind Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins. Dugger will look to progress enough in his recovery to return for Week 9 against the Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 2.
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Patriots' Craig Woodson: Good to go Week 8
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Woodson (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.
Woodson logged a DNP on Wednesday before upgrading to limited and full, respectively, Thursday and Friday. Woodson has started all seven games at safety for the Patriots and has recorded 34 tackles (21 solo), one pass breakup and one fumble recovery on 98 percent of the defensive snaps.
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Patriots' Harold Landry: Cleared to play
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Landry (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.
Landry was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday but upgraded to full Friday. He's started all seven games for New England, logging 27 tackles (15 solo), including 5.5 sacks, and 12 QB hits on 80 percent of the defensive snaps.
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Patriots' Kyle Dugger: Questionable for Sunday
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Head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that Dugger (knee) is questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Browns, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Dugger likely sustained a knee injury at some point this week, as he popped up on New England's injury report Thursday as a limited practice participant. The 29-year-old started at strong safety in each of the Patriots' last two contests, recording five total tackles while Jaylinn Hawkins was sidelined with a hamstring injury. With Hawkins back to full health, Dugger is expected to operate as a reserve safety if available for Sunday's game.
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Patriots' Charles Woods: Trending toward suiting up Sunday
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Woods (knee) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
Woods missed New England's game in Week 7 at Tennessee because of a knee injury, but it now seems like he'll be back to full strength for Week 8. The Patriots' defensive backfield as a whole is relatively healthy at the moment, so Woods doesn't project to play a major role Sunday versus the Browns.
