NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was diagnosed with prostate cancer, head coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday.
Williams, 51, stepped away from the team after an unforeseen health issue arose after the team’s Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I unfortunately have to tell you that Terrell Williams was determined to have prostate cancer and is in the process of treatment and meeting with specialists and figuring out the best plan of attack to be able to attack this and heal it and fix it and allow him to get back to better health,” Vrabel told reporters Friday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. (Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports, File)
“You know how much Terrell means to me personally and to the people on this football team, so again we want to send our regards and just publicly let everyone know that’s what he’s dealing with. When he is ready to talk, he will talk on his behalf, but we wanted to let you know that’s what’s going on.”
Williams missed the team’s rookie minicamp in the spring with an unrelated health issue. He was also treated for dehydration during a training camp practice in July.
GUNMAN IN DEADLY NFL OFFICE SHOOTING HAD ‘LOW-STAGE’ CTE, MEDICAL EXAMINER SAYS
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, right, speaks with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams during training camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., July 28. (Eric Canha/Imagn Images)
Vrabel said inside linebackers coach Zak Kur will remain as the team’s defensive play-caller in Williams’ absence.
“We’ll continue as we have been with Zak Kur calling the defense. I feel like that went well, I think the communication through the week organizationally hasn’t missed a beat whatsoever, so I think those guys are doing a great job over there,” Vrabel said.
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams talks to reporters after practice at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sept. 4. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Patriots (1-2) face the Carolina Panthers (1-2) at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.