Injuries are mounting for the New England Patriots at the business end of the 2025 NFL season ahead of the playoffs, so head coach Mike Vrabel will be pleased about an update that rates as “a good result” for a secret superstar who plays a vital niche role on both sides of the ball.
The Pats lost nose tackle Khyiris Tonga to a foot injury during the 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. Fortunately, the veteran who also doubles up as a fullback “has a one-or two-week injury, sources say,” per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who believes this is “a good result for the do-it-all player, with New England’s playoff appearance on the horizon.”
A good result for the do-it-all player, with New England’s playoff appearance on the horizon.
Having Tonga available in time for postseason duty would provide the Patriots with a double boost. He’s a hidden gem who acts as the fulcrum of a run defense that’s been faltering in recent weeks.
The 6-foot-2, 335-pounder is also useful for New England’s offense at the goal-line and in short-yardage situations, areas where the Patriots haven’t always been the most efficient this season.
Patriots Will Get Secret to Run Defense Back
Stuffing the run was a happy habit for the Patriots earlier in the season, but things have become unstuck in recent weeks. Vrabel has been left unhappy by the lack of resistance on the ground, so he’ll be keen to have Tonga available and fully healthy for the games that matter most.
Tonga makes a difference because he can dominate over the ball. That dominance is personified by the ability to command and hold double teams, freeing others to snuff out running plays at their source.
It’s the kind of unfashionable, but essential work the Pats need from the big body underpinning their front seven. Tonga was missed when he left the field in Baltimore, leaving two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry to continue running over the Patriots before his mysterious absence on a decisive late drive.
The Ravens were using all of their brawn to win on the deck, and that’s a quality Tonga lends New England’s offense. He also added a welcome layer of unpredictability to the red-zone offense against the Ravens.
Khyiris Tonga’s Growing in Importance on Offense
Tonga’s an asset as a blocking back to Rhamondre Stevenson and explosive rookie TreVeyon Henderson, who’s another of the growing injury casualties worrying the Pats with knockout football looming.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can cover for any deficiencies in the backfield by using Tonga as a decoy. It worked for the one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drake Maye to tight end Hunter Henry against the Ravens.
As Phil Perry of NBCS Boston detailed, “The touchdown pass came out of 23 personnel with Austin Hooper, Hunter Henry and backup lineman Ben Brown at tight end. Khyiris Tonga in at fullback — he’s already seen several snaps there tonight — to help sell the run fake.”
This type of play design reveals how Tonga’s sub-package role on offense is expanding. He’s now a key part of what the Patriots do both on the ground and through the air at the doorstep to the end zone.
He won’t play as big a role as Maye, Henderson, wide receiver Stefon Diggs or shutdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Yet Tonga is the kind of secret superstar whose natural utility will be key to how the Patriots game-plan in the playoffs.
Patriots Get ‘Good Result’ About Injured Secret Superstar