Patriots Linebacker Skips Ankle Surgery, Keeps the Game Going

Patriots’ Robert Spillane: An Injury‑Resilient Journey to the Title

Robert Spillane suffered an ankle injury early in the Patriots’ AFC title win over Denver.

• He tried to stay on the field, but pain worsened and he had to leave.
• The injury could have jeopardized his Super Bowl participation, so he was listed on the injury report.
• He still played against Seattle two weeks later and recorded four tackles in a loss.

After the season, Spillane headed to the team’s new New Balance Athletics Center for voluntary workouts.

“No surgery,” he said. “I take care of myself, and the guys in the weight room help me.”
He praised the plan that kept him moving forward.

This was not his first injury of the year.

• Week 15: sat out a loss to Buffalo.
• Week 16: missed a win over Baltimore due to the same ankle issue.

“It’s part of the game,” he said with a grin. “We know we’ll get hurt.”
Missing snaps feels bad, but he’s proud of teammates who stepped up when he was down.

As a Patriots captain, Spillane sees setbacks as learning moments.

“It wasn’t supposed to be part of our journey, but we can grow from it.”
He wants that growth to fuel the team’s push for a title in 2026.

The Patriots now know how tough it is to reach the playoffs. Spillane’s story shows that even when injuries strike, a player can keep fighting and help the team move forward.