FOXBORO — With a new coaching staff and new defensive scheme, it’s not a surprise that the Patriots turned over more than half of their starting defense this season.

Six of the Patriots’ current defensive starters are new to the team this offseason.

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Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who missed the first four games of the season on injured reserve with a calf injury, stuck on the roster, unlike many of his teammates from last season. That came as a bit of a surprise, as the Patriots were cutting players like Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jabrill Peppers, since there was some question of Tavai’s fit as a bigger linebacker in the new defense that values speed and quickness.

In his return Week 5, Tavai played 15 snaps with his reps split between his off-ball inside linebacker role and the

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