The cornerback room has been one receiving plenty of attention this offseason in New England, but the unit has taken a hit before the regular season. Joejuan Williams has suffered a shoulder injury which will keep him sidelined for the entire campaign (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). 
The 24-year-old has made 36 regular season appearances across his three years in New England, but only one start. It came this past season, as his defensive playing time has steadily increased from one year to the next. He also started the team’s playoff loss to the Bills, but has yet to find his footing with respect to a full-time role.
A second-round pick in 2019 (whom the Patriots traded up for), Williams’ struggles in pass coverage and the fact that he has yet to record an interception left his roster spot in question last month. Moving on from the six-foot-three, 212-pounder during roster cuts would, of course, represent another major disappointment for that year’s draft class; the Patriots have already traded away their top selection, N’Keal Harry, for a seventh-round pick.
Given the injury, doing just that is now a more logical move for the team. Even if he is placed on IR, Williams will head to free agency next offseason with an underwhelming track record and a full campaign spent on the sidelines. In any case, New England will move forward with the likes of Jonathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Malcolm Butler, Terrance Mitchell and rookies Marcus Jones and Jack Jones at the CB position.
The Patriots will have further moves to make on the backend to finalize their perimeter defenders, but the roster is now closer to coming into focus. Williams’ rehab, meanwhile, will go a long way in determining his NFL future.
speaking of Patriots, when we getting a steelers article?
could make the title:
George Pickens electric in debut
or Mitch Trubisky scores TD on opening drive.. blows kiss to haters
or Kenny pickett puts together godly performance.. wins game infront of 20k as Acrissure is baptized
..or can just say Deshaun Watson awful in debut .. can’t even complete a pass.. benched as fans scream rapist!!
I think the Steelers are gonna win the Super Bowl. They have the best defense in the league when everyone is healthy and I think Trubisky will have his best year. With the additions on the line, Harris will lead the league in TD’S. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that Devin Bush will make the Pro Bowl playing next to Jack. Pickett is the real deal and I see another dynasty. Call me a Homer but this team is loaded
You forgot that Levi Wallace will lead the league in picks and the entire offensive line will be named to the pro bowl.
We’re winning 7 games
also George Pickens will win both ROTY and League MVP this season
while Najee and Trubisky finish 2nd and 3rd respectively
We do have as good as receivers as the Bengals. If Tomlin can make the playoffs last year, he has a much better roster this year. Come on Steeler fans, you gotta have faith
All anti Steeler fans say that
Is this the Comedy channel? It will be an amazing year if the Steelers get to .500 with that offensive line.
the offensive line who has 2 of the best young tackles in the league?
I highly doubt he suffered a shoulder injury. This is another underhanded case of the “Foxborough Flu”. It’s the Pats gaming the system like always.
Right, the ““Foxborough Flu” is going to have them put the guy on IR and be lost for the season.
So what’s the benefit for the Pats here. He’s going into free agency next year so how exactly does this help them putting him on the IR?
He wasn’t going to make the team anyways the guys just another one of Bill’s pro-bowl draft picks
Can someone please make a reasonable comment?
no.
Belichick can’t cheat at the draft – thus he stinks at it.
Yet he drafted Tom Brady
he wasn’t GM back then.. just a HC
something he should revert back to..
Yeah this actually isn’t true. Bill shared GM duties with Pioli but Bill still had final say.
as does every coach, but they really only care about the top few picks..
taking a shot at the tall qb late is nothing more than a shot in the dark
I’m thrilled with Jojuan’s progress. He’s finally exceeding expectations.