The New England Patriots will be without a key piece of their defensive front once again in Week 13, as Milton Williams remains sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. The veteran defensive lineman, who hasn’t seen the field since Week 11, was officially placed on injured reserve, meaning he’ll be out for at least four games.
And make no mistake - his absence matters. Williams has been a steady force along the Patriots’ defensive line, anchoring the interior with a blend of power and technique that’s tough to replace. Whether it’s collapsing the pocket on passing downs or holding the line against the run, his presence has been a difference-maker all season.
So, when can New England expect him back?
With the Week 13 matchup against the Giants marking his second missed game, and a bye week on deck in Week 14, the earliest possible return for Williams would be Week 17 when the Patriots take on the New York Jets. That’s the first game he’s eligible to come off IR.
But high-ankle sprains are tricky. They’re not your standard bumps and bruises - they linger.
Recovery timelines can stretch out to six weeks, especially for linemen who rely on leverage and lower-body explosiveness. That opens the door for a potential Week 18 return, depending on how his rehab progresses.
The bigger picture? The Patriots are eyeing the postseason, and the goal is to have Williams back in time for the playoff push. Whether that’s the Wild Card round or a later start depends on how the AFC standings shake out, but the expectation is that Williams will be ready when the games matter most.
For now, New England will have to lean on its depth up front. Players like Christian Barmore and Davon Godchaux will need to continue stepping up, especially against a Giants team that’s shown flashes of a competent ground game. It’s not an ideal situation, but if the Patriots can weather the next few weeks, they could be getting one of their most important defenders back just in time for the stretch run.