FOXBOROUGH, MA -- January 26, 2026 -- The confetti from the AFC Championship had barely settled before the New England Patriots' medical and personnel staff began the critical two-week audit ahead of Super Bowl LX. The team enters its preparation phase with a mixed bag of health news and roster adjustments following the physical battle in Denver.
The Injury Front: Concerns and Hope The most significant post-game concern is the status of veteran linebacker Robert Spillane. A defensive anchor all season, Spillane suffered an ankle injury during the AFC Championship Game and is already listed as questionable for the Super Bowl. His presence against Seattle's dynamic offense would be a major boost.
The championship game was already played short-handed. The Patriots were without three key defensive pieces: LB Harold Landry III (knee), DT Joshua Farmer (hamstring), and RB Terrell Jennings (concussion), all of whom were downgraded to OUT prior to kickoff. LB Marte Mapu (hip) also missed critical practice time. The status of these players for February 8th will be the dominant storyline of the next fortnight.
On a positive note, the team did welcome back experience for the Denver trip. Veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins and cornerback Alex Austin were both activated from injured reserve to the 53-man roster on January 24, providing depth and special teams acumen.
Roster Fluidity: Practice Squad Shuffle In the week leading to the AFC title game, the Patriots were active on the practice squad frontier. For the game itself, they elevated RB D'Ernest Johnson and DL Leonard Taylor III to provide backfield and line depth, respectively.
The broader practice squad saw significant turnover. The team signed CB Miles Battle, RB D'Ernest Johnson, T Lorenz Metz, and veteran WR Trent Sherfield Sr., while releasing DL Fabien Lovett. These moves indicate a continuous search for the right depth and skill sets to counter the Seattle Seahawks.
Looking Ahead: Head Coach Mike Vrabel's "next man up" philosophy will be tested. The potential return of Landry or Farmer would dramatically bolster the defensive front against a strong Seattle running game. All eyes will be on the practice reports from Santa Clara, as the Patriots' ability to get key contributors healthy could be a decisive factor in their pursuit of a seventh championship.
