Milton Williams, a defensive tackle for the New England Patriots, sustained a high ankle sprain in last week’s win against the New York Jets. Unfortunately, that limb was broken and Jordan subsequently went on injured reserve. Given the severity of this injury, the 26-year-old is likely to miss more than just the next four games, representing a major hit to the Patriots’ impressive defensive front.
In fact, Williams has established himself as one of the Patriots’ most dynamic defensive playmakers this season. Prior to his injury, he was averaging 61 percent of the defensive snaps. Along the way, he has registered 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 8 QB hits. His day-in day-out work ethic has garnered him respect by coaches and teammates as well. No doubt he’s a critical part of the Patriots’ defensive genius Belichick’s overall game plan. His loss will surely be felt all the way around the diamond.
In March, Williams signed a four-year, $105 million contract to join the Patriots. Prior to that he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s been arguably the best trade success story of his position since switching to New England. Some even viewed him as the best defensive player on the team this season. Following the victory against the Jets, Williams joined head coach Mike Vrabel outside the Patriots’ locker room to congratulate his teammates, demonstrating his commitment to the team’s success even amid personal adversity.
Head coach Mike Vrabel commented on the decision to place Williams on injured reserve, stating, “I made a decision that we felt like we should probably just start treating that thing and get ahead of it and see where he’s at the next couple of days.” Perhaps most notably, Kuznia stressed Williams’s desire to continue playing hockey. He thinks it’s in the team’s interest to take their time with Williams’ recovery.
The Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 23. Without Williams anchoring their defense, they’ll need to be more aggressive and creative in their defensive machinations to remain competitive. Not having a player with Williams’ two-way impact will make it difficult moving forward, as they try to continue to compete for titles.
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