Terrell Williams' first stint as an NFL defensive coordinator has been a challenging one. The longtime Mike Vrabel assistant took over a unit that had fallen off precipitously in Bill Belichick's final season with the New England Patriots. It only got worse in Jerod Mayo's lone year at the helm.
While he was able to use his prowess as a defensive line expert to bottle up Ashton Jeanty in Week 1, his secondary struggled without All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the lineup and the Patriots gave up repeated big plays in a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, he may miss the second game of the season as he steps away from the team mid-week.
Williams previously took time off this spring for an undisclosed medical condition. He needed to be helped off the practice field in August for what the Patriots later chalked up to dehydration. Vrabel, speaking to the media Wednesday, told reporters this absence is not related to any previous issues, but that the coordinator will be undergoing tests while away.
Vrabel suggested he and inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr would take on more of a role designing the defense should Williams be unavailable for an extended period.