FOXBORO — The Patriots surrendered a 14-play landing drive to open Thursday night time’s recreation — and misplaced one in all their greatest defensive gamers within the course of.
Star defensive sort out and co-captain Milton Williams suffered an ankle damage on a collision with fellow D-tackle Christian Barmore. Barmore was blocked into Williams throughout a third-down scramble by Jets quarterback Justin Fields.
Williams was evaluated within the sideline medical tent, then exited down the tunnel. The Patriots introduced he was questionable to return.
UPDATE: Williams’ journey to the locker room was transient. He returned to the sport early within the second quarter.
Signed to a four-year, $104 million contract this offseason, Williams has began all 11 video games for the Patriots, tallying 27 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, eight QB hits and 7 tackles for loss.
The previous Philadelphia Eagle leads all New England D-linemen in snaps performed this season — his snap charge coming into Thursday was a career-high 65.4% — and has helped anchor a Patriots run protection that got here in ranked first within the NFL in yards allowed per recreation and fourth in yards allowed per carry.
Cory Durden and rookie Eric Gregory have been the Patriots’ depth choices in opposition to New York behind beginning D-tackles Williams, Barmore and Khyris Tonga. Gregory was making his NFL debut after sitting out the primary 10 video games as a wholesome scratch. The undrafted free agent obtained the nod rather than fourth-round rookie Joshua Farmer, who missed the sport with an ankle damage.
The Jets transformed 4 third downs on their opening possession, which Fields capped with a 5-yard landing run.
