Khyiris Tonga Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bills vs Patriots game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Dec 1, 2025
No go for MNF
Tonga (chest) is inactive for Monday night's contest against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 29, 2025
Could play in Week 13
Tonga (chest) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Giants, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.
ANALYSIS
The BYU product downgraded from limited practice Thursday to a DNP on Friday, suggesting he's trending in the wrong direction ahead of Monday night's contest. Tonga has appeared in all 12 of New England's games this season, tallying 19 total tackles and two passes defensed. If he's unavailable in Week 13, Eric Gregory will likely play as the Patriots' top nose tackle.
Nov 28, 2025
DNP on Friday
Tonga (chest) did not practice Friday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 27, 2025
Limited Wednesday
Tonga (chest) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 23, 2025
Exits with chest injury
Tonga (chest) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Tonga appeared to sustain the injury late in the first half, and he's being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return. Eric Gregory should see more snaps on the defensive line for as long as Tonga is out of the game.
Oct 30, 2025
Past knee injury
Tonga (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Tonga sustained a knee injury during New England's Week 8 win over Cleveland, but it doesn't appear to be a serious issue as he was able to practice Thursday without restriction. Barring any setbacks, the 2021 seventh-rounder is on track to play against the Falcons on Sunday. Tonga has started in each of the Patriots' last two games and has logged four tackles (two solo), including one tackle for a loss, over that span.
Oct 29, 2025
Limited in Wednesday's practice
Tonga (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Tonga sustained a knee injury during the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Browns, though the good news was 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.
Oct 27, 2025
Avoids serious injury
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
Oct 26, 2025
Questionable to return
Tonga (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Browns, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Tonga exited the second half with a knee injury and is questionable to return. The Patriots do not have another active nose tackle and will likely turn to Milton Williams alongside their other defensive ends to make an impact on the defensive line.
Mar 10, 2025
Signs with New England
The Patriots signed Tonga to a one-year, $2.7 million deal on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old appeared in 13 games (one start) during his one-year stint with the Cardinals in 2024, tallying 22 total tackles across 228 defensive snaps. Tonga is the second interior defensive lineman the Patriots have added since free agency opened Monday, joining the highly touted Milton Williams, who signed multi-year deal worth $26 million annually. Expect Tonga to provide depth to New England's defensive line in 2025.
Oct 6, 2024
Back in action
Tonga (knee) is active Sunday against the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
Tonga left Week 3 early with the injury and missed Week 4, but will be suiting up Sunday. His return should bolster the Cardinals' depth on the interior of their defensive line.
Sep 27, 2024
Won't face Washington
Tonga (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Washington, Howard Balzer of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old depth lineman has played 45 defensive snaps through three weeks, recording five tackles (two solo) as a deep reserve. Bilal Nichols, Roy Lopez, L.J. Collier and Naquan Jones should see the vast majority of the interior snaps up front.
Sep 22, 2024
Leaves game Sunday
Tonga left Sunday's loss to the Lions with a knee injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Tonga made four tackles (one solo) before exiting. The defensive tackle played 32 defensive snaps across the first two games of the season.
Mar 15, 2024
Headed to Arizona
The Cardinals signed Tonga to a one-year deal Friday, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.
ANALYSIS
The 338-pound defensive lineman has agreed to terms with the Cardinals after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Vikings and Bears. Tonga appeared in 14 games (two starts) for Minnesota in 2023, recording eight total tackles. He's logged 28 total tackles and four passes defended across 40 career outings, and he'll likely be competing for a depth role on Arizona's defensive line throughout the offseason.
Jan 30, 2024
Sees less work in 2023
Tonga logged 15 total tackles, including one tackle for loss in 14 games with the Vikings during the 2023 regular season.
ANALYSIS
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, sacks and run stuffs, according to Pro Football Focus. The 27-year-old nose tackle is heading into the offseason as a restricted free-agent, but he could very well end up elsewhere in 2024.
Nov 27, 2023
Will suit up Week 12
Tonga (knee) is not among the Vikings' inactives for their contest versus the Bears on Monday Night Football.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 25, 2023
Could play Monday
Tonga (knee) has been listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
Tonga did not show up on the Vikings' injury report until Saturday, indicating that he sustained the injury during practice. If he's unable to play, Sheldon Day would be the likely candidate to step into the depth nose tackle role behind starter Harrison Phillips.
Sep 11, 2023
Limited work in season opener
Tonga had one tackle in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
ANALYSIS
Tonga played on just nine snaps on defense as he'll work as a reserve nose tackle behind starter Harrison Phillips.
Feb 17, 2023
Inks new deal
The Vikings re-signed Tonga on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Tonga, a 2021 seventh-round selection made by Chicago, 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.
Jan 9, 2022
Posts first career tackles
Tonga tallied the first three tackles of his career in the Bears' 31-17 Week 18 loss to the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
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.
Dec 22, 2021
Returns to practice
Tonga (shoulder) logged a full practice according to estimates Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Tonga was considered a full participant during the Bears' walk-through practice Wednesday. He'll look to return after a one-game absence Sunday against the Seahawks.
Dec 20, 2021
Not available Monday
Tonga (shoulder) is inactive for Monday night's contest against the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
Tonga left the team's Week 14 contest against the Packers early with a shoulder injury and didn't practice at all leading up to Monday Night Football, so his inactive status comes as no surprise. In his absence, Margus Hunt is expected to see an increased role in reserve of Eddie Goldman.
Dec 12, 2021
Questionable to return
Tonga is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Packers due to a shoulder injury.
ANALYSIS
The 25-year-old didn't log any tackles before sustaining his injury in the third quarter Sunday. Margus Hunt could see a slight uptick in playing time if Tonga is unable to return.
Aug 25, 2021
Dealing with ankle injury
Coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday that Tonga will not practice due to an ankle injury, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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.
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