Mike Vrabel explains Patriots captain’s unusual status

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Mike Vrabel explains Patriots captain’s unusual status

Chris Mason · MassLive

Mon, Dec 15, 2025 ·

2 min read

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Robert Spillane was active for Sunday’s game against the Bills , but didn’t play a single snap.

The team captain had been listed as questionable with a foot injury, and after New England’s 35-31 loss to Buffalo, coach Mike Vrabel explained Spillane’s absence. With only 48 players allowed on the game day roster, it’s unusual for an active linebacker not to play at all.

“We felt like after going through the warmups and everything that that was what was going to be best for him today,” 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.”

The Patriots certainly could have used Spillane on Sunday.

Without the starting linebacker, New England gave up 168 rushing yards, with Bills running back James Cook accounting for 107. The Patriots also struggled to cover Buffalo ’s tight ends, as Dawson Knox had a pair of second-half touchdown catches.

“We weren’t able to get any stops,” Vrabel said of the second half. “When we had an opportunity to make a play, we weren’t able to make it. Penalties. And that’s how this game goes. A few small plays make the difference. We were very prepared for this team to — we were going to need 60 minutes to beat this team. This is a good football team. We had a lot of good football in there. And we had a lot of plays that, a few plays we’d like to have back that we’ll have to learn from."

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