New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel explained why Milton Williams didn’t return to the game in the team’s 27-14 win over the New York Jets.
Williams suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and was questionable to return. Yet, the star defensive tackle didn’t return, and Vrabel said it was his decision as they felt like it was the best for him to start getting treatment.
“I made a decision that we felt like we should probably just start treating that thing and get ahead of it,” Vrabel said postgame on Thursday. “See where he’s at here tomorrow, the next couple of days and try to weigh — again, he wanted to try to go.
“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 got rolled up on in the Patriots’ first defensive drive of the game. Although he did return later on in the first half, he didn’t play the entire second half, which Vrabel said was his decision.
New England had a 14-7 lead at the half, so Vrabel felt like resting Williams made more sense for his future. Williams signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the Patriots this season and is a key part of New England’s defense.
The Patriots beat the Jets 27-14 on Thursday to improve to 9-2 on the season. New England will go on the road to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12.
