Injuries can quickly derail anyone’s season, and they very nearly did that for New England Patriots linebacker and captain Robert Spillane. Luckily, now he was able to share a positive update on the ankle injury he was battling.
That ankle injury would cost Spillane four games in the regular season, not to mention needing to leave the AFC Championship Game early. However, the injury would not require surgery in the offseason, and he’s been making good progress. So, 2026 is on track for Spillane.
“That’s part of the game we play. We sign up to get injured, to bang into each other, to put our bodies on the line. That’s just part of the business we play. And just so proud of guys stepping up behind me. Obviously, you want to do everything you can to get back out on the field,” Spillane said.
“You hate missing snaps. You hate feeling like you’re letting your team down every time you’re not on the field. But I’m just really proud of the guys that stepped up and made big plays when it came to (me) getting healthy.”
The New England Patriots Need Robert Spillane at Full Health
GettyNew England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane was able to share a positive injury update.
2025 was the first season for Robert Spillane with the New England Patriots. He came in on a three-year, $33 million contract to be one of the key veterans in Mike Vrabel’s defense. He would respond by making 97 total tackles, 1.0 sacks, and 4.o tackles for a loss, not to mention making 2 interceptions.
It was a good season, but the missed time forced a pretty significant drop-off in production for Spillane. He had totaled 148 and 158 tackles in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively, but that was playing in 17 games each time. Despite that, Spillane still led the Patriots in tackles for the 2025 season. Only Christian Elliss had more than 90 tackles, like Spillane.
This offseason, the Patriots have been hoping to get healthy at linebacker. That includes Spillane, but isn’t limited to him. Harold Landry also lost a significant amount of time with his own injuries, and should be a key piece of the defense in 2026.
On top of that, the Patriots moved on from several contributing linebackers, including Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, and Marte Mapu. Additions came from the NFL Draft, as well as free agency in the case of K.J. Britt and Dre’Mont Jones. However, it’s clear they still need Spillane.
Robert Spillane Reacts to the Patriots Drafting a Linebacker
GettyNew England Patriots draft pick Namdi Obiazor
In the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots wanted to add at the linebacker position. There, they would take Namdi Obiazor out of TCU.
With some time now to reflect on the pick, Robert Spillane praised it. In particular, for his excitement to get to play alongside Obiazor.
“He’s an exciting young player,” Spillane said. “I look at his Instagram when he got drafted. Fast, physical, really determined. He’s an exciting young player who I’m really grateful I’ll get to work with.”
A sixth-round pick, Obiazor will have some work to do to crack the lineup on the Patriots’ defense. Still, like Spillane noted, he does have plenty of talent. Besides that, after going undrafted himself, Spillane knows that where you’re taken in the draft doesn’t matter once you’re in the building.
Patriots Get Injury Update on Captain and Linebacker Robert Spillane