It hasn’t taken long for the New England Patriots to get a significant update about the injury status of $104 million defensive tackle Milton Williams, but it wasn’t the news the AFC East leaders hoped to hear.
Williams left early during the 27-14 win over the New York Jets, and was held out by head coach Mike Vrabel because of concerns about an ankle problem. Vrabel’s concerns were well-founded, based on the Patriots placing Williams on injured reserve on Saturday, November 15.
The move was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who noted “Williams should be back in 4-6 weeks.”
Williams attempted to return on Thursday, though the team held him out. Williams should be back in 4-6 weeks.
Rapoport’s take followed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reporting earlier in the day Williams “could miss multiple weeks due to a high ankle sprain, per source.”
A timeline on this scale would be bad news for a defense revived by the additions of Williams and several other high-priced free agents this offseason. The former Philadelphia Eagles standout, who notched two sacks in last season’s Super Bowl, has arguably been the most important newcomer as someone able to push the pocket and a formidable force for a stingy run defense that showed signs of weakness against the Jets.
Being without Williams for a prolonged period of time would force the Patriots to turn to a less dynamic athlete along the interior. The obvious candidates are Cory Durden and 2025 NFL draft fourth-round pick Joshua Farmer.
Milton Williams Update Slows Progress of Patriots’ Defense
Williams hasn’t quite lived up to the narrative redefining $104-million contract the Patriots handed him back in March, but he has still been key to the progress of this defense. The 26-year-old has logged 3.5 sacks and recorded 14 solo tackles from the inside.
More than the numbers, Williams has become a focal point for opposing blocking schemes. Big No. 97 is the player attracting double teams and leaving fellow D-tackle Christian Barmore facing more one-on-one matchups.
Williams has also been helping keep linebackers like Robert Spillane clean and free to get downhill in a hurry and make tackles. It’s one reason why the Pats have allowed 3.9 yards per carry, tied for the fourth-lowest in the league.
Run defense has been a major success, but signs of softening were evident after Williams left the field early on Thursday Night Football. The Jets ran up 140 yards and averaged five yards per rush.
Williams’ ability to reset the line of scrimmage will be missed, even though a hidden gem in the middle is still an asset. The bigger problem for Vrabel is finding another powerful edge-setter to offset the absence of Williams along New England’s three-man base fronts.
Milton Williams Absence An Opportunity for 2 Linemen
Farmer was inactive against the Jets, due to his own ankle problem, but the rookie is arguably positioned best to seize the opportunity created by the absence of Williams. As RotoWire (h/t CBS Sports) pointed out, Farmer had been participating in “a 20 and 40 percent snap share in each game thus far.”
If he gets healthy again quickly enough, Farmer has the skill-set to replace some of what Williams does. The 6-foot-3, 312-pounder is a big body who knows how to fill lanes against the run and “flashed solid swim and cross-chop moves as a pass rusher,” according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder.
Farmer’s potential for big plays is high, but Durden caught the eye during an active outing against the Jets. The former Los Angeles Rams veteran played 34 snaps, per Pro Football Reference, and Durden moved the pile more than once.
Neither Durden nor Farmer will be as disruptive as Williams, but each has a good chance to fill the void in their own ways.
Patriots Get Significant Milton Williams Injury Update: Report