FOXBOROUGH — Milton Williams has proved to be worth every penny so far this season, making big plays in key moments.
So, it was certainly concerning that the star defensive tackle left Thursday’s game against the New York Jets in the opening drive and headed into the blue medical tent. Williams then headed into the locker room for further evaluation.
But it seemed like fans could breathe easier when he was spotted on the sidelines with his helmet on, looking like he was going back into the game. And while he did return momentarily, Mike Vrabel ultimately made the decision to keep him out.
He was officially announced as out with an ankle injury in the second half.
“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 here tomorrow, the next couple of days and try to weigh — again, he wanted to try to go,” Vrabel said after the game. “He’s out here standing with me when guys are coming in, and he’s excited for them, so I appreciate his leadership, but I just made a decision that I felt like was best for the team for his instance.”
Williams signed with the Patriots this offseason on a four-year deal worth $104 million, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history. With that, he has recorded 27 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, one pass defended, and eight stuffs across 11 games.
The good news is that with Williams pushing to go back in, it certainly seems like this isn’t anything serious that will sideline him for a while. But it’s definitely something to keep an eye on in the coming days.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Mike Vrabel provides crucial update on star defender Milton Williams
