The Patriots will be without Jahlani Tavai this weekend in Cincinnati.

The veteran linebacker missed Wednesday’s practice, was listed as limited with a personal issue on Thursday, and wasn’t spotted on the practice field Friday. In his press conference after Friday’s session, Mike Vrabel said Tavai wouldn’t play on Sunday but didn’t want to expound beyond that.

“Jahlani Tavai will be out for the game,” Vrabel said. “That will be non-injury related. That’s something personal and that will be all that I’ll talk about it at this time.”

In addition to playing a reserve role on defense, Tavai has been a core special teamer for the Patriots this season, playing 71% of the snaps on Jeremy Springer’s units when he’s been active.

Vrabel said there are a few different ways New England could lo

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