Patriots without key defensive lineman vs. run-heavy Giants

FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots will take on the New York Giants without two of their best run defenders on Monday night.

Khyiris Tonga is inactive for the team’s matchup after suffering a chest injury in Cincinnati. The nose tackle was expected to play more after the Patriots placed Milton Williams on the injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. However, Tonga left the Patriots’ win over the Bengals and was limited last week with the ailment.

This season, Tonga has started six of 12 games played. He has 19 tackles, two pass breakups and two quarterback hits. Tonga has started the last six games for the Patriots.

Now, the Patriots will take on a team that came into this week ranked No. 1 in the NFL in rushing attempts.

New York lost its starting running back, Cam Skattebo, but their offense has been efficient on the ground thanks to quarterback Jaxon Dart. The rookie leads the Giants with seven rushing touchdowns to go with 317 rushing yards. New York also has veteran running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr. (398 rushing yards, one touchdown) and Devin Singletary (238 rushing yards and two touchdowns).

“Good running football team led by quarterbacks that are mobile and that can run, whether that’s designed or play extension,” Mike Vrabel said last week. “So, I think it’s just a testament to them, the way that they’re calling the game, the fact that they’re in games that are one-possession games and they have the lead, and they’re able to run the football. They’re averaging, I think, 35 carries in those last three games. That’s a lot of carries. So, they’ve got good backs, and they’ve got multiple scheme. They do it from under center, they do it from the gun, or they do it from the pistol.”

With Williams and Tonga out of action, the Patriots will rely on Christian Barmore, Corey Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, and Jeremiah Pharms.

The Patriots have had one of the top run defenses in the NFL, but the group hasn’t been the same since Williams suffered the ankle injury. The defense allowed 140 rushing yards against the Jets and struggled against the Bengals last weekend, allowing 120 rushing yards.

Also inactive for the Patriots are tackle Marcus Bryant, edge rusher Bradyn Swinson, tight end CJ Dippre, Jared Wilson (ankle), and Brenden Schooler (ankle).

Bryant is a healthy scratch for the first time this season. That’s a surprise considering the Patriots won’t have left tackle Will Campbell, who’s on the injured reserve with a knee injury. With Bryant out, newcomer Thayer Munford Jr. will be the Patriots’ backup tackle behind starters Vederian Lowe and Marcus Bryant.

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