Patriots reportedly could be without DT Milton Williams for a couple of games

Milton Williams thought he may play the whole lot of the Patriots’ win over the Jets after injuring his ankle on Thursday. Nevertheless, it seems that the defensive deal with may be sidelined for some further time as a substitute.

Williams may very well be sidelined for a number of weeks as a result of a excessive ankle sprain, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.

Williams injured his ankle on the Jets’ opening drive when he collided with teammate Christian Barmore. The standout defensive deal with was clearly in ache, hobbling off the sphere earlier than taking place the locker room for additional analysis.

Shortly after, Williams was in a position to return to sport motion, however he remained within the locker room for the whole lot of the second half. He appeared to be in good spirits, although, in the course of the Patriots’ 27-14 win. He made a social media publish after Barmore recorded a sack within the fourth quarter, and he was seen greeting teammates arriving within the locker room after the sport.

Mike Vrabel additionally hinted in his postgame press convention that Williams might need performed within the second half had the scenario been completely different.

“I decided that we felt like we must always most likely simply begin treating that factor and get forward of it and see the place he’s at right here tomorrow, the following couple of days and attempt to weigh,” Vrabel informed reporters on Thursday. “Once more, he wished to attempt to go. He’s out right here standing with me when guys are coming in, and he’s excited for them, so I respect his management, however I simply decided that I felt like was greatest for the group for his occasion.”

Whereas the Patriots’ subsequent two video games are in opposition to groups with dropping information (at Bengals, vs. Giants), dropping Williams will surely be a blow to their protection. He’s logged 27 complete tackles and three.5 sacks this season.

Williams has additionally been one of many league’s greatest defensive tackles at producing strain. His 14 p.c pass-rush win price was the third-best on the place getting into Week 11, whereas Williams’s 35 pressures are the second-most amongst defensive tackles this season, per Professional Soccer Focus.

Fortunately for the Patriots, their bye week is in sight, which may purchase a while for Williams to heal. They’ve a Week 14 bye following their sport in opposition to the Giants earlier than internet hosting the Payments in a Week 15 matchup that would decide the AFC East.

New England additionally has longer relaxation than traditional forward of its subsequent three video games. Because of the Thursday evening sport, it has the mini bye earlier than enjoying Cincinnati. The Patriots’ residence sport in opposition to the Giants in Week 13 is a Monday evening matchup.