Patriots Get Encouraging Injury Update On Two-Way Player

The New England Patriots have secured their spot in the playoffs. They still have to clinch the AFC East, but staying healthy with the playoffs on the horizon is also important.

Khyiris Tonga exited the Patriots’ game against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter. He was originally deemed questionable to return with a foot injury, but was eventually ruled out. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport on Tuesday, Tonga has a “one-or two-week injury.”

Tonga has become an important player for the Patriots on both sides of the ball. He has started the last eight games at defensive tackle, but since Week 9, he has also been seeing snaps on offense.

Tonga is 6-foot-2, 335 lbs, and has served as the Patriots’ fullback recently. He is a big body and has been able to make an impact as a blocker. In Week 10, he was on the field for TreVeyon Henderson’s game-sealing 69-yard touchdown. He took out multiple defenders on the edge to spring Henderson free.

Tonga is important for the Patriots in all three phases. He also plays special teams. This season, he has logged 337 snaps on defense, 14 snaps on offense and 65 snaps on special teams. Mike Vrabel knows how impactful he is for the team, and getting him back before the playoffs would be great.

“That’s a guy that plays on three phases,” Vrabel said, via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, after the Patriots’ Week 10 win. “Helped us win defensively, helped us win offensively and then goes out there and stands in the way of three guys on the field goal protection unit.”

All things considered, getting Tonga back before the playoffs will be great for the Patriots. Losing him at all is a major loss, but at least the Patriots are expecting him back for the most important games of the season. He is not the only Patriot expected to return before the playoffs.

Perhaps the most important injury to monitor for the Patriots is Will Campbell. The rookie left tackle has missed the last three games after being placed on injured reserve. He is eligible to return before the playoffs as well.