Spence was caught by the elbow of Liam Delap while playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in May. The fracture was expected to take roughly three months to heal fully, making protective equipment essential whenever he returned to competitive action.
The mask is more substantial than the facial protection commonly seen in football. It extends around the jaw, reflecting the location and seriousness of the break, while allowing Spence to continue playing under medical guidance.
The defender has acknowledged that the brace is uncomfortable and can become hot during matches. Even so, he has continued to feature for England, demonstrating a willingness to manage the problem rather than disappear from the team.
Spence’s recovery has been striking because the injury did not keep him sidelined for long. He played through the issue just five days later, helping Tottenham beat Everton despite the fracture.
That determination has also shaped the public perception of the injury. Rather than becoming a symbol of limitation, the mask has become part of Spence’s current playing identity. He has reportedly joked that he plays football with his feet, not his jaw - a light-hearted response to a genuinely painful setback.
The key question now is whether the protection remains necessary when domestic football resumes. With the healing timetable stretching beyond England’s tournament involvement, Spence may still need the mask for Tottenham’s next fixtures.
The equipment should reduce the risk of further damage, but the club and medical staff will ultimately decide when it is safe to remove. His next appearance will therefore carry two storylines: Spence’s contribution on the pitch and the progress of a jaw still recovering underneath the mask.