Buffalo Bills will face New England Patriots' defense sans key starter in Week 5

The Patriots listed four players as questionable on their final injury report of the week and one of them is now set to miss this Sunday's matchup.

Sep 14, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Harold Landry III (2) celebrates with linebacker Marte Mapu (15) and linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (not pictured) | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Life was made a bit easier for the Buffalo Bills’ offense leading into an upcoming matchup with the New England Patriots.

On Saturday, the Patriots downgraded starting linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson from questionable to out for the Week 5 game against the Bills, removing one of the team’s significant contributors from the equation both defensively and on special teams.

Jul 28, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) heads to the practice fields for training camp | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Chaisson has been on the field for 68.3% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps throughout the 2025 season, recording nine tackles, 2.5 sacks, and five quarterback hits defensively, while also participating on the team’s punt-protection unit. The six-year veteran recorded a sack and a tackle for loss in a blowout win over the Carolina Panthers a week ago.

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In Chaisson’s absence, Keion White may be pressed into action, while Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder are other potential options to replace the veteran starter’s services. New England also announced on Saturday the elevation of LB Jahlani Tavai from injured reserve, where he had been placed for the first four weeks of the season due to a calf injury.

Dec 28, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) and linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) react after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Bills may be without starting offensive lineman Spencer Brown for the second straight week, after the team’s starting right tackle was listed as questionable due to a calf injury. Brown missed Buffalo’s Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints but appeared to make steady progress throughout the practice week leading into Week 5.

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Brown is likely to be back this week, with his return made a bit easier as the Patriots are without one of their most effective pass rushers thus far in 2025. Buffalo and New England will square off on Sunday at 8:20 p.m., with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth on the call for NBC.

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