What It Means:

Williams is out for the year after multiple offseason surgeries. His loss is a downgrade to an already thin interior line, and unproven fourth-year player Mike Purcell is the team's primary nose tackle now. Williams will likely have to settle for a one year, prove-it deal in 2017 free agency.

Prior to the injury, our algorithms projected Williams for 70.12 tackles and 1.75 sacks. Purcell will likely take on that projection going forward, though there may be more of a rotation in Williams' absence.