Patriots defense gets key players back for playoff matchup with Chargers

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Patriots defense gets key players back for playoff matchup with Chargers

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Sun, Jan 11, 2026 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots ’ defense is gaining some reinforcements for the playoffs.

On Sunday, the team saw the return of their leading tackler Robert Spillane and leading pass rusher Harold Landry , for their wild-card matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers . This marks the first time in the last five weeks that the Patriots will have the pair back in their lineup.

This matchup also marks the first time that the defense will have Milton Williams , Landry, and Spillane together since Nov. 13. Williams returned to the lineup last week after coming off the injured reserve.

Spillane missed the final four games of the regular season due to an ankle injury. The starting middle linebacker still finished the season leading the Patriots with 97 total tackles. Spillane, 30, also had two interceptions, five passes defended, and a sack this season.

This past week, Spillane said it wasn’t easy to watch the defense finish out the season without him, and he was ecstatic to return for the playoffs.

“That’s why you put in all the work for years and years and years to get those chances,” Spillane said. “So, to come out here (during the playoffs) is everything to me.”

Landry missed the last two weeks of the regular season due to a knee injury. The veteran edge rusher finished the season with a team-high 8.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss.

This week, Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said the team forced Landry to sit out the final two weeks to heal up for the postseason.

“One thing with Harold ... he’s been banged up all year, and there’s certain things people just don’t realize, and how tough that kid is,” Smith. “We came to the decision the last couple of weeks to rest him just to get him some rest. We kind of forced it on him.”

The Patriots’ offense also had good news on Sunday night as Kayshon Boutte was active after being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. The team called Jeremiah Webb up from the practice squad on Saturday, which turned out to be insurance in case Boutte couldn’t play.

Webb was inactive along with tight end CJ Dippre , tackle Marcus Bryant , offensive lineman Caedan Wallace , defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), edge rusher Bradyn Swinson , and quarterback Tommy DeVito .

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