New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Head coach Mike Vrabel made the announcement during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on Friday.
“This week is Crucial Catch, and I unfortunately have to tell you that Terrell Williams was determined to have prostate cancer and is in the process of treatment and meeting with specialists, and figuring out the best plan of attack, to be able to attack this, and heal it, and fix it, and allow him
to get back to better health,” Vrabel said.
“You know how much Terrell means to me personally and to the people on this football team. We want to send our regards and just publicly let everybody know that’s what he’s dealing with. When he’s ready to talk, he’ll talk on his behalf, but I wanted to let you know that’s what was going on. ”
Williams, 51, joined the Patriots alongside Vrabel earlier this year. A longtime assistant coach who spent six years under Vrabel in Tennessee and most recently served as the Detroit Lions’ defensive line coach, he was given his first opportunity to coordinate a defense on New England’s new-look staff.
However, Williams has missed several weeks due to medical issues since his arrival. In March, he suffered a medical emergency that forced him to spend multiple months working from his Detroit home. He did return for training camp and was available for the start of the regular season, but had to depart the team again leading up to its Week 2 game in Miami.
Williams has since returned to assist with coaching the defense, but has not made his return to the game-day staff. This week’s game against the Carolina Panthers will the third straight that inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr will serve as play caller on his behalf.
“We’ll continue as we have been, with Zak Kuhr calling the defense,” said Vrabel. “Felt like that went well. I think the communication through the week, the organization hasn’t missed a beat whatsoever. So, I think those guys are doing a great job over there. Vinny DePalma is helping as he progresses to to working with the linebackers and he was doing that role anyway.
“So again, really comfortable with where we’re at and and how we’re operating, but our thoughts and prayers — and he knows all this, I mean, we talk all the time — but just that are with him. His family has been through a lot and we care about him.”
