Williams is eligible to return from injured reserve.
New England Patriots star defensive tackle Milton Williams is set to return to the practice field this week. That will begin his 21-day window to be activated off of injured reserve.
“I think we’ll start his [activation] window, see how he responds through the week of practice and go from there,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday. “I know he worked extremely hard, off with the strength and conditioning staff, with the training staff and involved in meetings. So, that’s really hard to do, is to be engaged in meetings when you know you’re not going to play and have some time. And so, appreciate what he’s done here, his leadership and his willingness to try to get back.”
Williams initially suffered a high ankle sprain back in Week 11 on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets. He was shortly placed on injured reserve afterwards, but was fortunate the injury was not as severe as originally expected.
“Oh, man, blessed for the injury to not be as bad as we initially thought,” Williams said. “Didn’t have to get surgery, so was able to avoid that and just trusting the staff here with their plan. Big shout out to them for getting me through, keeping me working, keeping me lifting, conditioning when I need to, and be ready for when I’m back.”
Without Williams, who signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the team in free agency, New England’s defense has struggled up front. Williams’ absence has coincided with the Patriots run defense cratering to one of the league’s worst units.
His presence along the interior also been missed when it comes to getting after opposing quarterbacks as Williams had tallied 35 pressures over the first 10 weeks.
While the 26-year would not put any declarations on his status for this Sunday’s game against the Jets, the Patriots could use him now more than ever after losing defensive tackles Khyiris Tonga (foot) and Joshua Farmer (hamstring) to injury in Baltimore
“We’ll see,” Williams said about Sunday. “I’ve been running, so it’s just getting back out there, getting acclimated, of course getting my wind back, but also really practicing and pushing on the body. Just seeing how I respond to that, and if all goes well, then you all know what that means.”
When he does return to action, Williams is ready to get back to usual, dominant self.
“I’m ready to be back. I’m ready to keep putting my impact on games,” William said. “I felt like I was doing that before I got injured. I’m just trying to be the same Milton Williams I’ve been when I was out there.”
Category: General Sports
