The eyes of the football world will be on Orchard Park, NY, this Sunday night as an AFC East rivalry is set to take center stage when the Buffalo Bills host the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, it appears as though the status of one of the biggest names on New England's roster is in question as we move closer to Sunday Night Football.
After being a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session due to an ankle injury, veteran DT Milton Williams was unable to take the practice field with his teammates on Thursday, making him the only DNP on the team's practice report.
Milton Williams Misses Patriots Practice on Thursday with Ankle Issue
Williams got off to a strong start to the 2025 campaign after the Patriots invested $104 million in the defensive lineman this offseason to get him to leave the Philadelphia Eagles and continue his career in New England. Now, his availability is in doubt for what will be a meaningful game in the race for the AFC East crown.
With nine tackles, two sacks, and five stuffs to his name through four games, Williams was on pace to have one of his most impactful statistical seasons of his career before this ankle issue. The former Louisiana Tech standout was easily providing Mike Vrabel and the defensive coaching staff with all they could have hoped for when he signed a contract to join the franchise this offseason.
Fortunately, this does not appear to be a long-term concern for New England, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Thursday that the ankle issue Williams is dealing with does not sound like a significant injury. Having a long-term issue all but ruled out is comforting, but it doesn't change the fact that the Patriots could be stuck facing the only remaining undefeated team in the AFC without New England's top defensive weapon.
Should Williams ultimately be ruled out of Sunday night's game, the most likely candidates to try to replace his production on the defensive line are rookie Joshua Farmer and three-year veteran Cory Durden. When compared to Williams, neither is a replacement-level player on their own. Having the two combine to do what they can along the defensive front is the best option Vrabel has at this time.
With the high-powered offense that Buffalo possesses, the Patriots will need all the healthy bodies they can have at their disposal on the defensive side of the ball.