New England Patriots
DT Milton Williams, who did not practice on Thursday, is questionable with an ankle injury.
The Patriots listed four players as questionable on Friday ahead of their Week 5 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
All four are defensive players, three of whom missed at least one day of practice this week.
Linebackers K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) and Jahlani Tavai (calf), as well as cornerback Carlton Davis III (illness) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) have a 50/50 chance of suiting up Sunday.
Williams is the most notable player on Friday’s report. He was a limited participant during Wednesday’s and Friday’s practices, but did not participate on Thursday.
New England head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t have much to say about Williams’s ailment when asked by a reporter about it.
“It’s an ankle, as it’s listed on the injury report, and it’s limited,” Vrabel said.
Williams played 58 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps in last week’s 42-13 win over the Carolina Panthers. He logged one solo tackle in the victory.
Williams has not logged a sack since he sacked Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa twice in Week 2.
As for Chaisson, he did not practice on Wednesday or Friday. Tavai, who has yet to make his season debut, returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday and was a full participant in practice each day.
Vrabel spoke about Tavai’s recovery and his status heading into the weekend.
“Worked really hard,” Vrabel said. “Worked really hard to be in shape, trying to simulate football shape and his return to play, trying to maximize the time away from the actual practice, and working with our training staff, working with our strength coaches and was ready to go. And so, it was exciting to see him get out there and get practice, defense and the special teams, and trying to see where he’s at.
“So, we’ll see how he responds in the morning, and then we’ll make a decision going forward.”
Tavai started 16 games and played in all 17 games for the Patriots in 2024. He logged 58 solo tackles and 115 combined tackles as well as one sack as New England finished with a 4-13 record.
Six players were full participants during Friday’s practice after entering the week on the injury report. DT Christian Barmore (not injury related/other), offensive tackle Will Campbell (shoulder), safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring), LB Marte Mapu (neck), and guards Mike Onwenu (shoulder) and Jared Wilson (ankle/knee) round out that category.
Vrabel announced on Friday that Wilson will return as the Patriots’ starting left guard on Sunday. Backup o-lineman Ben Brown filled in for Wilson last week after he was ruled out.
Here is New England’s full injury report:
OUT
No players listed.
DOUBTFUL
No players listed.
QUESTIONABLE
LB K’Lavon Chaisson, Knee
CB Carlton Davis III, Illness
LB Jahlani Tavai, Calf
DT Milton Williams, Ankle
NO GAME STATUS GIVEN
DT Christian Barmore – Not Injury Related/Other
T Will Campbell – Shoulder
S Jaylinn Hawkins – Hamstring
LB Marte Mapu – Neck
G Mike Onwenu – Shoulder
G Jared Wilson – Ankle/Knee
The Bills ruled out CB Dorian Strong (neck) and LB Dorian Williams (knee) on Friday. OL Spencer Brown (calf), LB Matt Milano (pectoral), and DTs Ed Oliver (ankle) and T.J. Sanders (knee) were deemed questionable.
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