The Patriots placed defensive tackle Milton Williams on injured reserve Saturday, a transaction that will sideline Williams for the team’s next four games.
Williams hurt his ankle in the first half of Thursday’s win over the Jets and attempted to play through the pain in the second half. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel later told reporters he decided to sideline Williams to get a head start on treatment. The 26-year-old has 3.5 sacks, eight QB hits and 27 tackles this season after becoming the highest-paid player in franchise history upon signing a $104 million free-agent deal this offseason.
The soonest Williams can return is Week 17 when the Patriots will travel to play the Jets on Dec. 28. He will miss at least five weeks and four games, including the team’s bye, a key home game against Buffalo in Week 15 and ensuing trip to Baltimore on Dec. 21.
Without Williams, the Patriots are likely to promote veteran backup Khyiris Tonga, who has seen his defensive role increase over the course of the season, and involve fellow backups Joshua Farmer, Cory Durden and Eric Gregory. Starting five of 11 games, Tonga has recorded 17 tackles, two QB hits and zero sacks. At 6-foot-2 and 335 pounds, Tonga is a run-first player who should help the Patriots maintain their elite run defense.
However, Williams’ loss will likely impact their pass rush, which should be critical in upcoming games versus former league MVPs Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Williams has started all 11 games and ranks among the team leaders in pressures.
To fill Williams’ roster spot, the Patriots signed rookie outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson off their practice squad. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder has yet to appear in a game this season. The Patriots drafted Swinson in the fifth round of last April’s draft after he started a dozen games at LSU last year and led the Tigers with 8.5 sacks. He was released at the end of training camp and then re-signed to the practice squad after he went unclaimed on waivers.
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