Patriots’ Mike Vrabel Issues Less-Than-Ideal Injury Updates

The New England Patriots could be shorthanded entering their wild-card matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Mike Vrabel issued some less-than-ideal injury updates during his press conference on Monday, sharing that it was too soon to tell whether we would see the returns of linebackers Harold Landry III (knee) and Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (foot), offensive lineman Jared Wilson (concussion) and cornerback Alex Austin (wrist).

Landry, 29, has been dealing with his knee injury throughout the season, but played in every game of the regular season but the final two. Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder have primarily filled in for the veteran, whose return feels the likeliest.

Spillane, 30, has not appeared in a game since Week 13, seemingly suffering his injury just before the bye week and didn’t play despite being active during his club’s Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Spillane eventually returned to practice this week but was not made active for the regular season finale, and has been replaced primarily by Jack Gibbens.

Tonga, 29, hasn’t played in two weeks, though the club has gotten decent production from youngsters Cory Durden, Eric Gregory and practice squadder Leonard Taylor III. Milton Williams also returned from injured reserve in Week 18.

Wilson, 22, has been in concussion protocol for the last two weeks. Ben Brown has started four games this season in his place, and performed admirably enough to earn a two-year contract extension.

Austin, 24, is practicing but still on injured reserve, meaning there will need to be a roster move made in order for him to be activated.

The Patriots and Chargers will begin their postseason runs at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday Night Football.