Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was not able to be at rookie minicamp on Friday due to a "health scare" but did address the media virtually. (AP photo)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has been working remotely from his home in Detroit on doctor’s orders the past few weeks and was not with the team when it opened rookie minicamp Friday.

Williams did not disclose the nature of his condition during a video call with reporters.

“I had a health scare, but I also want to make it clear that I’m away from the building, but I’m not away from the team,” Williams said. “I’m doing good. I’m not away from the football team. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back soon and just be in the building and be around everyone.”

“I’ve been in constant communication with him daily,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Friday. “Zak Kuhr (inside linebackers coach) has been handling those responsibilities in Terrell’s absence, but Terrell’s eager to get back, and we’re excited to get him back. He’s still been in contact with the players through Zoom, with myself and the rest of the coaching staff.”

Vrabel hired Williams shortly after he was named Patriots’ coach in January. Williams spent six years on Vrabel’s staff with the Tennessee Titans.

VRABEL SETS MINICAMP COURSE FOR ROOKIES

Vrabel said the whole point of the rookie camp is to get them acclimated.

“The whole goal this weekend is to get them acclimated to the program that we’ve tried to build over five weeks with our players so that on Monday, they’re ready to go as they enter into this end of phase two with our football team,” Vrabel said, “and our football team can see that the players that we brought in are ones that are going to put the team first.

“All the things that we’ve asked them to do in five weeks, these rookies have to get a crash course.”

WILSON AT GUARD OR CENTER?

Where will rookie lineman Jared Wilson be used the most at?The answer: everywhere on the interior of the offensive line.

“I would say that any of those interior three positions, probably should know all those,” Vrabel said. “Again, whatever Jared can handle. He’ll be working at center this week, and from what I’ve seen in just a short amount of time, I’m looking forward to seeing that this weekend.”

“Once we get in here with the rest of the guys and we start to get to OTAs, his ability to play guard, we’ll be able to evaluate. But we don’t want to overload him, but obviously excited about seeing him operate at center and communicate, make the calls, quarterback-center exchange, all those things that are critical, especially in a rookie minicamp.”

DRAFT PICKS SIGNED, AS AR ROOKIE FREE AGENTS

The New England Patriots announced the signing of eight of their 11 2025 NFL Draft picks and 16 rookie free agents.

The Patriots signed the following draft picks: WR Kyle Williams, C Jared Wilson, DT Joshua Farmer, LB Bradyn Swinson, K Andy Borregales, T Marcus Bryant, LS Julian Ashby and DB Kobee Minor.

And, they also signed the following rookie free agents: T Cole Birdow, WR Demeer Blankumsee, WR Efton Chism III, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, FB Brock Lampe, RB Lan Larison, S Josh Minkins, CB Jordan Polk, LB Elijah Ponder, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., WR Jeremiah Webb and QB Ben Wooldridge.