FOXBORO — Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane was lively for Sunday’s loss to the Payments, however didn’t play a single snap.
Spillane had been listed as questionable with a foot harm that in the end saved him out of motion. After the sport, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel defined the choice to maintain one in every of his defensive captains sidelined.
“Yeah, we felt like after going by means of the (pregame) warmups and the whole lot, that that was what was going to be finest for him at present,” Vrabel mentioned. “And we want everyone, and positively Robert. And we’ll must attempt to get as wholesome as we are able to as shortly as we are able to.”
In his place, veteran backup Jack GIbbens tallied 9 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. He teamed with fellow inside linebacker Christian Elliss (seven tackles, cross breakup) to steer the center of the protection, which allowed 5 straight touchdowns and 28 factors within the second half. Gibbens mentioned it wasn’t a shock that he obtained the decision to begin.
“I simply all the time put together as a starter, particularly with (Spillane) being somewhat banged up. However (I’m) all the time making ready to play a number of positions, no matter we want,” Gibbens mentioned. “That’s one thing I’m form of doing each week, so it wasn’t sudden, I assume.”
Earlier than Sunday, Spillane had but to overlook a recreation this season. He stays the Patriots’ main tackler by a large margin with 98 stops. Spillane has additionally recorded two interceptions, a sack and one pressured fumble.
Spillane was first listed on the crew’s harm report Thursday, although he was restricted for 3 practices, together with a previous Monday session that immediately adopted the Patriots’ bye week.
Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs was the one different lively participant to not see the sector versus Buffalo.
