Tavai recorded seven total tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams. Tavai was the Patriots' second-leading tackler in Sunday's loss, trailing just Marcus Jones' nine-stop effort. The veteran inside linebacker leads New England's defense in total tackles (75) and is second in tackles for loss (six) through the team's first 10 games. He's expected to continue being a tackling machine ahead of the Patriots' Week 12 divisional matchup against the Dolphins.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Jahlani Tavai news
Team
New England Patriots
Birthdate
9/28/1996 (28)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'2", 255 lbs
Draft Info
2019: Rd 2; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Inglewood, CA, USA
Position
LB
College
Hawai'i
Experience
6 seasons
Career History
New England Patriots
2021-Present
(4 seasons)
Detroit Lions
2019-2021
(3 seasons)
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TOT 6.4SACK 0.2SOLO 4.0AST 2.4INT 0.2TFL 0.4
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Full season projectionsTOT 82.2SACK 1.0SOLO 51.0AST 31.2
Tavai recorded seven total tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams. Tavai was the Patriots' second-leading tackler in Sunday's loss, trailing just Marcus Jones' nine-stop effort. The veteran inside linebacker leads New England's defense in total tackles (75) and is second in tackles for loss (six) through the team's first 10 games. He's expected to continue being a tackling machine ahead of the Patriots' Week 12 divisional matchup against the Dolphins.
Tavai posted nine tackles (seven solo), a sack and a pass breakup in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Bears. The Patriots sacked Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams a whopping nine times, and Tavai got in on the action with his first sack of the season. The 2019 second-round pick has averaged 6.8 tackles per game this season, which hurts his consistency for fantasy purposes, but he'll certainly have viability as he approaches a second straight 100-tackle campaign.
Tavai recorded 11 tackles (six solo), including a tackle for a loss, a pass breakup and an interception in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Titans. The inside linebacker also played on more than 80 percent of the defensive snaps for the eighth time in nine games this season. Tavai has 59 tackles (30 solo), two passes defensed and an interception on the year.
Tavai (back) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's matchup with the Titans. Tavai was limited at practice to open the week due to a back injury, but the linebacker was able to log a full practice Friday, dispelling any chance that he'd be unavailable for Week 9. The 28-year-old has compiled 48 total tackles (24 solo) and a pass defensed over eight games in 2024.
Tavai (back) was a limited practice participant Wednesday. Tavai may have picked up a back injury during the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Jets, during which he logged six tackles (four solo). He'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans. Through the first eight games of the regular season, Tavai has logged 48 tackles (24 soloo) and one pass breakup.
Tavai produced eight tackles (three solo) in the 41-21 loss to the Texans in Week 6. Tavai was one of two New England defenders to tally eight tackles. He was on the field for 52 defensive snaps (84 percent) and 14 on special teams (47 percent). The linebacker will look to build on his solid performance in Week 7 at Jacksonville.
Tavai finished Thursday's 24-3 loss to the Jets with nine tackles (five solo). Tavai was the second-leading tackler for New England on Thursday behind Raekwon McMillan (10). Tavai joined strong safety Kyle Dugger as the only two Patriots players to play every single defensive snap in the loss. Tavai has seen a heavy workload on defense over the last two weeks, and through the first three games of the regular season he has accrued 18 tackles (11 solo) and one pass defended.
Tavai and the Patriots agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year extension with a $15 million base value, and that can reach $21 million with incentives, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports. Tavai has entrenched himself as a key member of New England's starting linebacker corps, playing a hybrid ILB/OLB role that saw him record 110 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 17 games last season. He now joins DT Christian Barmore, RB Rhamondre Stevenson and C David Andrews as players who were entering the final year of their contracts but have re-signed under new coach Jerod Mayo. Tavai is well positioned to repeat as a worthwhile fantasy option in IDP formats in new defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington's scheme.
Tavai played a season-high 68 defensive snaps Sunday while playing on 96 percent of special team snaps. He saw more action on defense with Ja'Whaun Bentley (hamstring) exiting the game in the second half. Tavai and Mack Wilson -- who also had seven tackles in the game -- will see more defensive snaps in Week 9 against the Commanders if Bentley is unable to play.