Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Has key role for NE in 2025
Rotowire
Tonga played in 14 regular-season games (eight starts) in 2025, registering 24 tackles and two defensed passes.
Tonga's eight regular-season starts and 336 defensive snaps were the most in his five-year career. He missed four games late in the campaign (including the wild-card win over the Chargers) but played in the Patriots' final three postseason contests and posted seven stops, including 1.0 sacks, over that span. Tonga was playing on a one-year contract and is slated to be a free agent.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: On track to play vs. Houston
Rotowire
Tonga (foot) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
A foot injury prevented Tonga from playing in the Patriots' last three games, including their wild-card round win over the Chargers this past Sunday. With a full practice under his belt, the fifth-year defensive tackle is on track to be available for Sunday's AFC divisional-round clash against the Texans. Tonga posted 24 tackles (nine solo) and two pass defenses across 14 regular-season games.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Limited in practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Tonga (foot) was limited in practice Wednesday.
Tonga practiced for the first time since suffering a foot injury in Week 16 against Baltimore. The 29-year-old will need to at least remain limited in practice Thursday and Friday for a chance to play in the Patriots' AFC divisional round matchup against the Broncos. The five-year pro has 24 tackles (nine solo) and two pass breakups through 14 regular season games.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Out for Sunday
Rotowire
Tonga (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
The 29-year-old is now in line to miss his second game in a row due to a foot injury sustained in the Week 16 win over the Ravens. Across 14 appearances this season, Tonga has tallied 24 total tackles and two passes defensed while serving as one of the Patriots' top nose tackles. Expect Eric Gregory to have an expanded role on New England's defensive line while Tonga is out Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Week-to-week with foot issue
Rotowire
Tonga (foot) is considered to have a one- or two-week injury and should be back for the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Tonga left Sunday night's game against the Ravens in the first half and was unable to return. The starting nose tackle for the Patriots is a key part of their defense, so his availability for an inevitable playoff push is a big win for the team. Since the 29-year-old may miss the rest of the regular season, Eric Gregory will likely be called upon to face the Jets in Week 17 and maybe the Dolphins in Week 18.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Tonga (foot) has been downgraded to out for the rest of Sunday night's game against the Ravens.
The nose tackle suffered the injury during the first half after making three tackles. Eric Gregory is his backup.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Leaves game Sunday
Rotowire
Tonga (foot) is questionable to return to Sunday night's game against the Ravens.
The nose tackle suffered the foot injury at some point during the first half after making three tackles. In Tonga's absence, Eric Gregory could see more snaps.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: No go for MNF
Rotowire
Tonga (chest) is inactive for Monday night's contest against the Giants.
Tonga went the wrong direction at practice during the week, going from a limited participant Wednesday to a non-participant by the end of the week while nursing a chest injury he suffered in Week 12. The defensive lineman will now be forced to miss his first game of the year. In his absence, Eric Gregory is a top candidate to handle the lion's share of workload at nose tackle versus New York.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: DNP on Friday
Rotowire
Tonga (chest) did not practice Friday.
Tonga was limited Thursday, so this is a downgrade for the defensive lineman. He was injured in last Sunday's win over the Bengals and was unable to return to that contest.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Tonga (chest) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Tonga sustained a chest injury late in the first half of Sunday's 26-20 victory over the Bengals and was unable to return to the game. The starting nose tackle's ability to practice Wednesday means he is likely trending towards playing in Monday night's contest against the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Limited in Wednesday's practice
Rotowire
Tonga (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Tonga sustained a knee injury during the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Browns, though the good news is that the injury wasn't deemed serious. He was able to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, and a full session over the next two days would put him in the clear to play against the Falcons on Sunday. The 2021 seventh-rounder has 11 tackles (five solo) over his last four games.
... See More... See Less
Patriots' Khyiris Tonga: Avoids serious injury
Rotowire
Tonga told reporters Monday that everything is "good" after exiting Sunday's 32-13 win over the Browns due to a knee injury, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
Tonga played 25 total snaps (17 on defense, eight on special teams) and recorded two total tackles prior to exiting Sunday's win with a knee injury. However, following his comments Monday, it appears he avoided a serious issue. Tonga's practice participation throughout the week will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play in the Week 9 matchup with the Falcons.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Khyiris Tonga: Sees less work in 2023
Rotowire
Tonga logged 15 total tackles, including one tackle for loss, in 14 games during the 2023 regular season.
The Vikings continued to use Tonga primarily as a run stopper in 2023, but the third-year pro played only 188 defensive snaps, which is the lowest amount of his career. Tonga's low snap share resulted in career lows in total tackles and run stuffs, according to Pro Football Focus. The 27-year-old nose tackle is a restricted free agent this offseason, but he could end up elsewhere in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Khyiris Tonga: Will suit up Week 12
Rotowire
Tonga (knee) is not among the Vikings' inactives for their contest versus the Bears on Monday Night Football.
Tonga popped up on the team's injury report with a knee issue Saturday but got in a limited practice session. The injury doesn't appear to be serious, as the defensive tackle has been cleared to suit up Monday night. Tonga has played a rotational role along Minnesota's defensive line throughout the campaign, totaling seven tackles (five solo) over eight games.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Khyiris Tonga: Inks new deal
Rotowire
The Vikings re-signed Tonga on Friday.
Tonga, a 2021 seventh-round selection of the Bears, joined Minnesota back in October and made 11 appearances as a member of the Vikings. The 338-pound interior defensive lineman tallied 28 tackles this past campaign, and he's now in line to stay put in Minneapolis for the time being.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Khyiris Tonga: Posts first career tackles
Rotowire
Tonga tallied the first three tackles of his career in the Bears' 31-17 Week 18 loss to the Vikings.
After being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 Draft, Tonga didn't see the field until the season finale in his rookie season. He's signed through the 2024 season, but he'll need to show well in next year's training camp if he's going to move onto the IDP radar.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Khyiris Tonga: Dealing with ankle injury
Rotowire
Coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday that Tonga will not practice due to an ankle injury, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.
Tonga will miss Wednesday's walkthrough practice, and it remains to be seen whether the injury will impact his availability for Saturday's preseason finale against the Titans.
