Injury to top linebacker played big role in Patriots loss to Bills

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Injury to top linebacker played big role in Patriots loss to Bills

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Mon, Dec 15, 2025 ·

3 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – Last week, Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane popped up on the injury report following Thursday’s practice.

The veteran was a limited participant in the final two sessions and was then listed as questionable for the Patriots ’ matchup with the Buffalo Bills . After being listed as active for the game, however, it was a surprise when Spillane didn’t play a defensive snap in the Patriots’ loss to their division rivals.

After the game, Mike Vrabel said that the team decided not to play their leading tackler after warmups.

“We felt like after going through the warmups and everything that, that was what was going to be best for him,” Vrabel said. “And we need everybody, and certainly Robert. And we’ll have to try to get as healthy as we can as quickly as we can.”

Spillane’s absence turned out to be a big loss for the Patriots .

On Sunday, the defense struggled to stop the Bills’ ground game and Buffalo’s tight ends. In the fourth quarter, Allen threw his last pass with 8:13 left on the clock. After that, the Bills ran over the Patriots’ defense to close out the comeback win.

Allen finished with 193 passing yards, while all three of his touchdown passes went to tight end Dawson Knox (two) and running back James Cook . Cook ran for 107 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns against the Patriots.

On two of Allen’s touchdowns, the quarterback beat linebacker Jack Gibbens on one (14-yard pass to Knox) and linebacker Christian Elliss (5-yard pass to Cook) on another.

“There’s not a lot of depth there, outside of him,” Vrabel said on Monday. “Could’ve had a few guys up, but didn’t really think that was going to have an impact on the game-day roster.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Spillane ranks eighth among linebackers in the NFL with an 87.3 run defense grade. He ranks 18th among all defensive players for his run defense. Spillane’s 76.3 overall grade ranks him 15th among all linebackers in the league.

Spillane leads the Patriots with 97 total tackles and has been the team’s best linebacker this season. He’s also the defensive signal caller.

With Spillane out, the Patriots leaned on Gibbens, who wore the green dot on his helmet, signaling he was in touch with defensive play caller Zak Kuhr to relay the play calls.

“I just always prepare as a starter, especially with him being a little banged up,” Gibbens said. “Always preparing to play multiple positions, whatever we need. That’s something I’m doing every week, so it wasn’t unexpected.”

Spillane’s availability will be a major storyline this week as the Patriots prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens , featuring quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry .

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