FOXBOROUGH — There’s no stat for what Khyiris Tonga does on the field goal team.

Any made kicks are credited to Andy Borregales, but the Patriots rookie kicker can’t knock them through the uprights without the 335-pound Tonga doing his job.

As the last lineman on the edge of the protection in a conventional tight end spot, opponents often try to bulldoze players in Tonga’s position. They’ll send two or three rushers at the corner of protection, hoping to cave the lineman in to block a kick.

“It’s a thankless job to say the least,” special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said on Thursday afternoon.

In last weekend’s win over the Browns, Cleveland loaded up over Tonga for a field goal block as time expired in the first half. The defensive tackle held his ground long enough before eve

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