The Patriots placed S/LB Tank Williams on IR yesterday, ending his season before it even got underway. He suffered what appeared to be a fairly severe knee injury toward the end of the second quarter in Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens while playing on the kick coverage unit.

This is a bigger loss than initially thought; Williams' versatility lent itself perfectly to the Patriots' playing style and he was expected to see a significant amount of time at both safety and linebacker next season. According to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe, the Pats had spent at least 10 practices with Williams playing inside linebacker on the first team with the starters, a clear indication that he was "a big part of their plans" at the position. It's unfortunate that Williams, who signed a one year deal with New England back in March, won't have an opportunity to show off that versatility this season.