Patriots DC Terrell Williams out with 'medical condition'

The New England Patriots are without their defensive coordinator at rookie minicamp, as Terrell Williams is away from the team dealing with a "medical condition," head coach Mike Vrabel and Williams told reporters Friday.

"I came back home here to Detroit, for spring break, and had a little medical scare. I mean, it wasn't a little medical scare. It was a medical scare," Williams said via video conference call. "Since then, per doctor's orders, I've kind of stayed here, in Detroit, and been handling that."

Neither Williams nor Vrabel went much further into the specifics of the health scare, though Williams said he "ignored doctors" over the past several years and said, .".. when there's things that you can prevent and you don't prevent them, well, that's just not being smart."

ESPN reported Friday that Williams has been absent from the team for approximately a month.

Williams, 50, has been in touch with players and the coaching staff via Zoom during his absence.

"I've been in constant communication with him daily," said Vrabel. "Terrell's eager to get back, and we're excited to get him back."

Williams is in his first season as defensive coordinator with the Patriots in Vrabel's first season at the New England helm. He was on Vrabel's staff with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23, finishing that tenure as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach.

Williams coached the defensive line for the Miami Dolphins (2015-17) and then-Oakland Raiders (2012-14) after stints as an assistant at Texas A&M, Purdue, Akron and other schools.

In his absence, some of Williams' responsibilities are being handled by inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, who was a New York Giants defensive assistant last season. Kuhr also spent time with Vrabel in various positions with the Titans from 2020-23.

"Zak has great knowledge of what we've done in the past, with me and this system, and with Terrell," Vrabel said.

Williams also sang the praises of Kuhr, who he says he communicates with daily.

"Zak Kuhr has done an unbelievable job while I've been away. He's an unbelievably smart guy," Williams said. "I think he's going to be a superstar in this league, smart and more than anything, I think that he has the ability to connect with players. .... So really, I think the defense is in good, good hands."

Vrabel and Williams were noncommittal about when Williams could return to the team in person.

"I had a health scare, but I also want to make it clear that I'm away from the building, but I'm not away from the team," Williams said. "Hopefully I'll be able to get back soon and just be in the building and be around everyone."

--Field Level Media