Patriots star is pushing through pain to chase another Super Bowl ring

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Patriots star is pushing through pain to chase another Super Bowl ring

Chris Mason · MassLive

Mon, Jan 5, 2026 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH — On Miami ’s opening drive of Sunday’s season finale, defensive tackle Milton Williams made his presence felt after missing five games with a high-ankle sprain.

On second-and-2 in the red zone, Williams ran free into the Dolphins backfield and dropped Miami running back Jaylen Wright for a six-yard loss on a toss play. It was a reminder of what New England had been missing with their $104 million star on the shelf.

After the Patriots blew out the Dolphins, 38-10, Williams said he’d been ready to play from the moment he took the field for warmups.

“I just felt good,” Williams said. “I just felt good being back, being out there. Sitting on the couch, that’s garbage. I ain’t gonna lie... Little rusty, but it was just good to put my hands on somebody and run around a little bit at game speed.”

Williams also acknowledged the reality of playing with the injury that he has. The defensive tackle isn’t going to feel 100%, but just has to gut through some discomfort.

“It was all right, a little sore,” Williams said. “I’ve got a high-ankle (sprain), so it ain’t finna just go away. So it’s just something I’m going to have to deal with. Keep working with our training staff and keep moving forward.”

The defensive tackle said he felt ready for the playoffs, which will begin with the Patriots host the Chargers next weekend. Williams won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season, and as one of the few Patriots who have been on a deep postseason run, he said the formula to sustain success is simple.

“We don’t need no superheroes‚" Williams said. “We (only) need everybody to go out there and do stuff the way we’ve been doing it all year. Just be consistent, harp on your fundamentals, and keep doing what we’ve been doing all year: Winning games.”

With New England sitting 14-3, nothing needs to change at practice this week.

“Just be consistent,” Williams reiterated. “Just keep doing what we’ve been doing. Don’t get out of what got us in this position. Keep doing what we’ve been doing. Keep playing hard. Keep finishing. Keep playing for each other.”

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