A rising star is about to get his chance, but it comes at a cost: a key player sidelined by injury. The New England Patriots' defensive line is facing a major shakeup after a painful injury to Milton Williams. But don't count the Pats out just yet! Third-year player Cory Durden is stepping into the spotlight, and early signs suggest he's ready to shine.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 26: Cory Durden #94 of the New England Patriots reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Before Williams' unfortunate high ankle sprain in Week 11 against the Jets – an injury that landed him on injured reserve – the Patriots coaching staff had already begun integrating Durden into the defensive rotation. Think of it as a 'next man up' mentality, but with a twist: this particular 'next man' might be more prepared than anyone anticipated. And this is the part most people miss... the Patriots saw something in Durden worth developing even before the injury crisis.
Durden's path to Foxborough wasn't exactly a straight line. Undrafted in 2023 after a five-year college career spanning Florida State and North Carolina State, he initially signed with the Detroit Lions. After being cut from the Lions following training camp, he found his way to the Los Angeles Rams, appearing in four games. He then spent time with the New York Giants last year, also playing in four games. He bounced around a bit, searching for his place in the NFL. But since leaving the Giants, his career trajectory has taken a decidedly positive turn.
The Patriots signed Durden to their practice squad in late August after the Giants released him on the final cut-down day. It looked like just another depth move, but it's proving to be a savvy pickup. Initially, Durden saw limited action, playing just seven snaps in his first two weeks with the team. However, his playing time has steadily increased, culminating in a career-high 34 snaps in Week 11 following Williams' injury. Before that, he'd already logged an impressive 30 snaps in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signaling a growing trust from the coaching staff.
And here's the kicker: Durden isn't just filling a roster spot, he's playing exceptionally well. While it's important to acknowledge that the sample size is still relatively small, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades aren't the be-all and end-all, PFF currently ranks him as the No. 12 defensive lineman in the entire league with a grade of 75.4 this season. That's elite company! Even more impressively, he ranks fifth among all defensive linemen in pass-rushing grade, placing him in the same conversation as established stars like Cam Heyward and Dexter Lawrence, and even ahead of Chris Jones. But here's where it gets controversial... some analysts argue that PFF grades can be heavily influenced by a few standout plays, and that Durden's overall impact might not be quite as significant as the numbers suggest. What do you think?
Even before Williams' injury, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was singing Durden's praises. "I think he’s excited about playing," Vrabel said. "I think he brings good size, good physicality, good energy. It seems like he’s always excited after every play or the plays that he’s involved with. So, I think he’s one of those players that’s, like a lot of guys, taking advantage of the opportunity that he’s gotten and was somewhere else, they made a decision, we were able to bring him in, quickly elevate him and bring him on, and he’s done a good job." Vrabel clearly recognized Durden's potential and his enthusiasm for the game.
GettyNew England Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams
The good news is that Williams' injury isn't expected to be season-ending. He's on injured reserve, which means he'll miss a minimum of four games. Factoring in the Patriots' bye week, Williams will be sidelined for a total of 45 days. This means he'll miss crucial matchups against the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 14 and 15. However, this time off also provides ample opportunity for Williams to fully recover and prepare for the final stretch of the season, including games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, as the Patriots aim for a deep playoff run.
In the meantime, Cory Durden will be crucial in replacing Williams alongside Christian Barmore on the defensive front. The injury to Williams might also lead to a reduction in playing time for Khyiris Tonga at fullback. Additionally, rookie Joshua Farmer is expected to receive increased opportunities to showcase his talent. The Patriots' defensive line is facing a challenge, but with Durden stepping up and other players ready to contribute, they're hoping to weather the storm and remain a force in the AFC.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including "Fun City," "Before Wrigley became Wrigley," and "Facing Michael Jordan." More about Sean Deveney
