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Mike ReissMay 9, 2025, 02:18 PM ET
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- Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams is not with the team at rookie minicamp, saying Friday he had a “health scare” while returning home to Detroit for school spring break in late March.
Williams declined to reveal specifics — saying he would do so in the future — but relayed that doctors have told him to remain there for now.
“I want to make it clear, I’m away from the building, but I’m not away from the team,” he said, while thanking doctors, nurses and therapists who have managed his care and rehabilitation.
Williams didn’t put a timeline on his return, saying: “I’m working remotely right now. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back soon and just be in the building and be around everyone … I’ll just say right now that I’m doing OK and I appreciate all the prayers from everybody.”
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been handling Williams’ responsibilities in his absence, according to head coach Mike Vrabel.
Williams is in his first season as defensive coordinator. He joined the NFL in 2012 as defensive line coach with the Raiders (2012-14) before handling the same role with the Dolphins (2015-17), Titans (2018-23) and Lions (2024).
Williams described this as a “wake-up call” for him, spreading a message that he hopes will help others.
“We all have different stress levels. Football is a job that obviously there is some stress involved. Just eating right. Working out. If you’re supposed to take any medication, take it. Like I told the players, we all think we’re invincible,” he said.
“I think a lot of times, when there are things you can prevent, and you don’t prevent them, that’s just not being smart. That’s what I’ve done the last couple of years, even longer. I’ve ignored doctors. I’ve ignored everyone and just kind of lived my life. While it was fun, I realize you have to take care of yourself. That’s what I’m doing.
“Where I am now, my mind is clear. I’m moving around. I’m happy. Everything is good. I’m just looking forward to getting back to Foxborough and seeing everybody in person.”
Williams shares a close bond with Vrabel, which began in 2018 when he joined his coaching staff in Tennessee. He said Vrabel checks in with him daily, usually first thing in the morning.
Likewise, the 36-year-old Kuhr was on the Titans’ staff under Vrabel from 2020 to ’23. Williams said the defense is in “great hands” with Kuhr, and Vrabel also expressed his confidence in him.
“Zak has great knowledge of what we’ve done in the past, with me and this system, and with Terrell,” Vrabel said.
