Why Milton Williams missing from Patriots’ practice such a bad sign for Bills showdown
The New England Patriots have their hands full with the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, even if their X-factor comes through. And here is why Milton Williams missing practice is such a bad sign for the AFC East showdown.
Williams is a key player for the Patriots on the defensive line, according to a post on X by Chris Brown.
“This is a noteworthy absence. Williams and fellow DT Christian Barmore have been a big interior presence in New England's run front thus far, where Pats are giving up just 77.5 rushing yards per game. #Bills #NEvsBUF”
How good is that run defense? The Patriots are tied with the Packers for No. 2 in the NFL.
Williams didn’t make it to the practice field Thursday, according to a post on X by Mike Reiss.
“DT Milton Williams (ankle), who was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, is not spotted during Thursday’s media-access portion of practice.”
Patriots need DE Milton Williams against Bills
The good news is that the severity of the injury. It may be low, according to a post on X by Ian Rapoport.
“Does not sound like a significant injury for Milton Williams…”
Williams wants to be out there against the team favored to win the AFC, according to masslive.com.
“I’ve never been there,” Williams said. “I’ve been seeing the videos of the fan going crazy, jumping off stuff, and throwing snowballs. Those fans are diehard. It’s going to be a fun environment to play in.”
But the Bills’ offensive line will prove to be a tough opponent, Williams said.
“It ain’t going to be just the d-line or any particular group,” Williams said. “It’s going to take everybody being on the same page executing.”
Williams, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, helping them win the Super Bowl in 2024. He has helped create a tough one-two punch with defensive end Christian Barmore. Williams, who had a career-high five sacks in 2024, already has two this season.
Bills Predicted to Part Ways With $52 Million TE in Midseason Move
The Buffalo Bills have found a surprise star in rookie tight end Jackson Hawes, who has quickly become one of the team’s best blockers and a steady goal-line target.
His emergence could push the Bills to part ways with another veteran tight end, with one insider predicting the team will move him at the upcoming trade deadline in exchange for some NFL Draft capital.
Bills Could Say Goodbye to Dawson Knox
Analyst Matt Verderame of SI.com proposed trades for all 32 NFL teams, suggesting the Atlanta Falcons could look to the Bills for another piece on offense. Verderame proposed the Bills trade tight end Dawson Knox to Atlanta in exchange for a fifth-round pick, getting rid of the veteran and his four-year, $52 million contract.
The Panthers find themselves in a peculiar position,” Verderame wrote. “They should rebuild again, but it might be too soon to pull the plug on what coach Dave Canales has built the past season and a half. It’s the slowest rebuild in the NFL, but they’re at least trying to move forward, unlike a few other organizations.
Verderame wrote that if the Falcons try to make a push behind their young quarterback, they could use a veteran like Knox.
The Panthers should see this through with Bryce Young for at least the entirety of this season,” Verderame wrote. “Knox, 28, has gotten lost a bit in Buffalo since the team drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round two years ago. Also, the Bills are starting to utilize rookie tight end Jackson Hawes.
Knox was once a favorite target of quarterback Josh Allen, but saw his role shrink after the team used a first-round pick on tight end Dalton Kincaid in 2023.
Knox had just 22 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 and followed it with 22 receptions for 311 yards and one score last season. Knox continues to play a small role in the offense, making four receptions for 39 total yards this year.
Trade Would Clear Path for Rookie Tight End
The Bills may be comfortable trading Knox thanks to the rise of Hawes, who quickly grew out of his role as a primary blocking tight end. He has four receptions for 54 yards and one touchdown so far this year, outpacing Knox in terms of playing time.
The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia called Hawes an emerging star, which could force the Bills into a decision on Knox’s future in Buffalo.
“Hawes has outplayed Knox by quite a bit to begin the year,” Buscaglia wrote. It’s also worth noting that the Bills have a decision point with Knox in the upcoming offseason. The tight end only has one year left on his deal, and the team can save almost $10 million on the 2026 cap to move on.”
Buscaglia added that the Bills must decide after this season whether to pick up the fifth-year option on Kincaid, which is projected at an $8.7 million salary.
At best, given their cap structure, the Bills can only afford to keep one of Kincaid or Knox past 2026, and that might even get fast-forwarded to this offseason should the Hawes’ arrival continue to excel,” Buscaglia wrote.
