What Mike Vrabel Said About Missing Milton Williams for the ‘Foreseeable Future’

FOXBOROUGH – Milton Williams will miss at least four games after the Patriots placed him on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain, but Mike Vrabel isn’t ready to talk about his season in the past tense.

The soonest Williams could be considered for a return would be the rematch with the Jets on December 28 at MetLife Stadium. Depending on the severity of the injury and its recovery, it may take longer.

Williams has made an immediate impact after signing a four-year, $104 million contract with the Patriots this offseason. He was a disruptive force up front and anchored the league’s best defense while posting 3.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss.

“He’s got a combination of speed and power that’s just… you can’t put it into words,” offensive guard Jared Wilson said. “Going against him every day in training camp really opened my eyes to the fact that there are levels to this.”

‘That won’t happen [Williams]So for the foreseeable future, he’ll be working hard to get back,” coach Mike Vrabel said Monday. “So that’s really where our focus is, it’s not so much a reflection, but just the focus on how we get the guys ready to perform and continue to improve.”

The Patriots have won eight games in a row. They doubled last year’s win total and then some. They have shown signs of improvement throughout the series, which they will look to continue as they prepare to visit Cincinnati this week.

“I think we’re trying to get everyone to understand that this is a progression league, and we have to be able to improve as the season goes on,” Vrabel said. “And so we’re going to have to do it without Milt, who is one of our contributors and a big part of what we’ve done. But we’re going to have to do it without him here for a few weeks.”

The depth of New England’s defensive line was solid. Christian Barmore remains an important cog up front. Khyiris Tonga was solid in the middle as a nose tackle and in attack as a short-range fullback.

Williams’ injury will test the Patriots’ depth up front. Eric Gregory and Joshua Farmer are newcomers. Jeremiah Pharms Jr, who played in 28 games over the past two seasons, has yet to see action this year.

“Well, the same guys I think played,” Vrabel said. “Eric Gregory played in a match for the first time. I thought he fought and continues to improve in the show team stuff and training.”

“Hopefully we get Josh [Joshua Farmer] back. That’s what I would say [Jeremiah] Pharmacies [Jr.] also doing great in the show team and ready to go in there at any time. So I think it’s fine in terms of depth. We just have to keep working and keep going.”

Khari A Thompson

Sports reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.