On Sunday, the New England Patriots may be missing as many as six defensive starting players when they face off against the Baltimore Ravens.

Robert Spillane, the inside linebacker, has been ruled-out. Christian Elliss, his running partner is also listed as questionable. Mike Vrabel, the head coach of the team, said that Jack Gibbens will step in for Spillane. If Eliss is not available, Jahlani Tavai will handle early downs and Marte Mapu can take over passing downs.

Both outside linebacker Harold Landry and defensive tackle Christian Barmore are questionable.

Barmore’s initial listing on the injury report for this week was “non-injury-related/other”. According to Andrew Callahan the Patriots had “managed [his] workload since the summer, after he suffered two bouts of symptoms related to blood clots last year.”

Barmore, however, missed Friday’s training due to a knee injury. This could be a big loss for the Patriots defensive front, which has been struggling in recent weeks to stop the run, especially since Milton Williams is still on injured reserves.

Landry, according to Callahan has been on the injury list with a persistent knee problem, but has played in every match this season. He practiced less this week than in previous weeks. There is a good chance he will miss Sunday’s game. Pro Football Focus reports that he and K’Laivon Chaisson have both had more than 45 pressures in this season. No other Patriots’ edge rusher has more.

If Barmore and Landry both miss Sunday’s game, New England will not have a defender who has more than 13 pressures. The Ravens will have the advantage in trenches, despite their suspect offensive line. However, random pass rushers tend to have success against Baltimore. Khryis Jennings and Anfernee Tonga both have pass rush rates above 11.0%.

The Patriots secondary seems to be in a better condition. Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit reports that cornerbacks Carlton Davis (left) and Marcus Jones (right) both stated their intention to play at Baltimore. Both cornerbacks are listed as “questionable” after only one limited session on Friday. They may still decide to play at game time.

Todd Monken’s willingness to play the ground game in recent weeks has increased due to the injuries to New England’s front seven. The passing game will be more open if Davis or Jones are not available, but the Ravens’ bread and butter is the ground attack.