70 Adam Butler DT

Butler (thigh) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jets, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Depth along the interior defensive line will be depleted as long as Butler is unavailable after he exited in the fourth quarter with four tackles and a sack to his ledger. Butler has now registered four sacks since Week 12, but Akeem Spence may have to step into a more integral role at defensive tackle if the 26-year-old proves unable to return.

Butler made four tackles (two solo) and a sack in Sunday's 22-12 loss to the Dolphins.

Butler rang up six sacks last season, but he started the 2020 season on a brutal cold streak. Through the first 10 games, Butler failed to post a sack. He has turned it around of late, posting three sacks over the last four games, adding 15 tackles in that stretch. Butler will look to finish on a high note with games against the Bills and the Jets to close out the season.

Butler (shoulder) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

The 26-year-old was held to limited participation during Friday's practice, but he's demonstrated enough in pregame warmups to get the nod for a crucial Week 13 showdown. Butler earned his second start of the 2020 campaign last Sunday against the Cardinals, also notching his first sack of the season during that contest.

Butler has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Houston with a shoulder injury.

The 26-year-old was limited at practice all week and was originally considered questionable, but he was downgraded to out Saturday. Tashawn Bower and Isaiah Mack could have increased roles Sunday in Butler's absence.

Butler (elbow) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Butler practiced in a limited fashion all week to earn the questionable tag, but he's good to go for Week 7. The 26-year-old should play his usual role up front for New England's defense.

Butler (elbow) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the 49ers.

Butler maintained limited participation all week in practice, so he's trending in the right direction. He's expected to start at defensive end if he's active, but Deatrich Wise is in line to take over if Butler can't go.

Butler (elbow) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Denver.

Butler has played every game this season despite managing a shoulder problem, but he appears to be dealing with a new issue. As long as Butler is sidelined, Lawrence Guy and Deatrich Wise are the only healthy defensive ends on the roster for Sunday's game.

Butler (shoulder) is active for Monday's game versus the Chiefs.

Butler will avoid missing his first game since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He's handled a consistent role on the Patriots' defensive line this season and has recorded eight total tackles.

Butler (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Chiefs.

This is Butler's third straight week on the injury report with a shoulder issue, and he's been able to play through it so far, recording five tackles over the last two weeks. If Butler ends up missing time, expect Deatrich Wise to bump into a starting role.

Butler (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Butler was limited in practice due to a shoulder injury all week, but he's managed to get healthy in time to face Seattle. He'll handle his usual rotational role along New England's defensive line.

The Patriots have listed Butler (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.

Butler was limited at practice all week, rendering his questionable designation as not all that surprising. Deatrich Wise would be in line for increased snaps should Butler ultimately get ruled out.

Butler signed his restricted free agent tender with the Patriots on Friday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

While Butler only started two games in 2019, he was still a key piece of interior pressure for the Patriots' defense, amassing six sacks and nine quarterback hits across 16 games last season. The second-round tender will pay the 25-year-old defensive tackle $3.26 million in 2020.

The Patriots applied a second-round tender to Butler on Monday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Butler is a restricted free agent, so New England can now receive compensation should another team sign him via an offer sheet. The 25-year-old had 26 tackles (17 solo), six sacks and five passes defensed in 2019, and he has yet to miss a regular-season contest over his first three seasons.

Butler posted a sack during Sunday's 17-10 win over the Eagles.

Butler, 25, only has 16 tackles on the year, but he's racked up 5.5 sacks in 10 games. Because he does most of his damage in opposing backfields, Butler's value in IDP formats cannot be understated, but his role in New England does have a limited scope, which does impact his fantasy ceiling.

Butler had four tackles (two solo) and two sacks in Sunday's win over the Browns.

Butler didn't have a single tackle in either of the previous two games, but he stepped up to deliver his second two-sack performance of the season against Cleveland. The 25-year-old is enjoying a productive season as a rotational nose tackle for the Patriots with 15 tackles (eight solo) and 4.5 sacks at the halfway point of the season.

Butler notched three assisted tackles and a half-sack in Sunday's win.

With just 25 defensive snaps to play with, Butler still found a way to make an impact in what was a convincing win over the Jets. Despite his low usage rate in Week 3, Butler's performance could see him get more opportunities down the road. Next up for Butler and the Patriots is another divisional matchup, on the road against Buffalo.

Butler recorded three solo tackles, two sacks and one defended pass during Sunday's 43-0 win over the Dolphins.

Butler tied for the team lead in sacks with Chase Winovich on Sunday. He played 37 defensive snaps (60 percent), a sharp uptick from his Week 1 workload of 17 snaps on defense (25 percent). If Butler is able to continue impressing in his rotational role, he could conceivably earn increased opportunities going forward.

Butler suffered a lower leg injury during Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Ryan Hannable reports.

The details of Butler's injury remain undisclosed, but the depth defensive tackle should be considered questionable to return to the Week 4 matchup.