Patriots would need ‘Christmas miracle’ for Robert Spillane to return this week

Key Highlights

• 1 linebacker and a defensive.
• leader dating back to the offseason.
• The team captain went on to start New England’s first 13 games of the season and, while playing 95.4% of snaps, registered a team-leading 97 tackles as well as a pair of interceptions. However, he suffered a foot injury leading up to the Patriots’ Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills.
• The ailment limited him in two practices and subsequently forced him to watch the entire contest from the sidelines despite being made active as an emergency-only option. Spillane later was spotted with a walking boot on his left foot and was unable to participate in any of the three practices ahead of New England’s trip to Baltimore in Week 16.
• He was officially ruled out for that particular contest because of an ankle issue. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEarlier this week, the 30-year-old was caught in the locker room without his protective boot.