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Williams recorded 29 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, along with a defensed pass over 12 regular-season games (all starts) in 2025. Williams' first campaign in New England was interrupted by an ankle injury that caused him to miss five contests late in the season. He was able to return to action in Week 18 and then played a big role during the Patriots' playoff run, posting seven tackles, including 3.0 sacks, along with a defensed pass across four contests. Williams will be in the second year of a four-year deal in 2026 and should again be a key component of New England's defensive line.
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The Patriots activated Williams (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Williams was able to log a full practice Friday and holds no injury designation ahead of Sunday's divisional tilt. The defensive end is all set to suit up for his first game since Week 11. Due to the 26-year-old's return, Cory Durden will likely see a reduction in defensive snaps for the remainder of the season.
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Williams (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against Miami. Williams remains on IR -- where he's been since mid-November -- but he was able to log a full practice Friday. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said the likelihood of Williams being activated in time to play Week 18 "looks good" when asked Friday, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Williams' return would be a nice boost for New England's defensive line ahead of the playoffs, as he posted 27 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and a defensed pass over 11 contests prior to getting hurt.
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The Patriots designated Williams (ankle) for return from injured reserve Tuesday. New England won't release its first Week 17 injury report until Wednesday, but Williams looks poised to be listed as at least a limited participant. Since the defensive lineman went down with a high-ankle sprain in Week 11, the New England run defense has been trampled by Derrick Henry (18-128-2 rushing line), James Cook (22-107-2), the tandem of Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary (22-104-1), and Chase Brown (19-107-0) over the last four contests. If all goes well in practice this week, Williams could return to action as soon as Sunday versus the Jets.
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Williams sustained a high-ankle sprain in Thursday's 27-14 win over the Jets and is expected to miss multiple weeks, Arnav Sharma of Sports Illustrated reports. The first-year Patriot suffered a high-ankle sprain on the first drive of Thursday's win, playing just eight defensive snaps before exiting. Williams has been one of New England's most impactful defenders this season, recording 27 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and one pass defended over the team's first 11 games. Cory Durden will likely have an expanded role on the Patriots' defensive line while Williams is sidelined.