Just a week into the season, the New England Patriots head coach, Mike Vrabel, is already facing one of his toughest challenges. Hired to restore order to the franchise after back-to-back losing seasons. Vrabel now finds himself managing the team’s preparation for Miami amid a sudden shake-up in his own staff triggered by a health crisis.

On Wednesday, while addressing the media, Vrabel indicated that his defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, will be out of the team for a few days as he has to run some medical tests but specified that it is unrelated to the health concern that kept him away from the team in the spring. “It was something that just came up and we’ll have to run more tests,” Vrabel said. “We think it’s best, and I think it’s best, that he focus on that and we prepare for Miami with what we’ve been doing.’’

Vrabel reaffirmed that health comes first. ” I just want to make sure he is focused on getting results and figuring out what the next step is here or medically,” he said. Terrell Williams collapsed on the field during practice on Aug. 4 and was escorted off. His potential absence during the Dolphins game could be a huge blow, considering the experience he brings and the uphill battle the team has on its hands.

Williams has been one of Vrabel’s most respected second-in-commands for nearly a decade. In 2018, the two started working together in Tennessee, when Williams joined the Titans as a defensive line coach. In 2023, he was promoted to assistant head coach. Then he joined Detroit Lions as run game coordinator and defensive line coach in 2024. And when Vrabel joined the Patriots as head coach earlier this year, Williams followed as defensive coordinator. Their relationship has been marked by consistency and defense-first grit. So Williams’ absence weighs heavier as the Patriots face one of the NFL’s fastest offenses in Miami.

This news comes after the Patriots’ defense gave up nine passes of 20 yards or more in last week’s loss to the Raiders, which created worry among the unit. New England might also be without All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who was sidelined from week 1 action due to a hamstring injury. Vrabel confirmed that Gonzalez was not going to practice on Wednesday. All in all, Vrabel has his work cut out for him. Thankfully, he has someone to help him out during Williams’ absence.

Mike Vrabel has someone “fantastic” to rely on

In the absence of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. Attention turns to who will call plays for the Patriots’ defense on Sunday. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr emerged as the frontrunner to have a bigger role that may even include defensive play-calling duties. Although Mike Vrabel indicated he would explain things later in the week.

“I think Zak does a fantastic job, always has, since he’s been with us before. Work through the game plan, we’ll work through practice, we’ll work through the normal operation at third down, short yardage and red zone. We’ll have to be great,” Vrabel explained. This proves the trust Vrabel has in his assistant to settle a group under the microscope so early in the season. During Williams’ earlier absence, Kuhr oversaw his responsibilities and kept operations running smoothly.

Kuhr’s arrival in Foxborough is a testament to his relationship with Vrabel. From 2020 to 2023, he was with the Titans. With Kuhr as their defensive assistant in 2024, the Giants finished eighth in opponent passing yards allowed (210.6 yards per game). They also possessed one of the league’s stronger red zone touchdown percentages.

Should Williams not make it back on time, the Patriots would be wise to rely on his experience to bounce back from week 1.