Williams (knee) was released by the Patriots on Friday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams tore his ACL in a practice session last June and sat behind five tight ends on New England's depth chart prior to his release. While the blocking specialist will now seek an opportunity elsewhere, his departure leaves James O'Shaughnessy, Rob Housler and Matthew Lengel to battle for the Patriots' No. 3 tight end gig this offseason.

Williams (knee) has re-signed with the Patriots, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams suffered a torn ACL in practice last June and consequently spent the entire 2016 season on injured reserve. Even when healthy, he's extremely unlikely to achieve fantasy relevance this upcoming season given his nature as an in-line blocking tight end.

Williams tore his left ACL during Wednesday's practice and he'll likely be placed on Injured Reserve, Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Williams' injury was a serious one as he was seen on crutches Thursday awaiting the unfortunate results. This ensures Clay Harbor's spot as the No. 3 option at tight end behind Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett heading into the 2016 season, as Williams enters a long road to recovery.

Williams injured his leg/knee during Wednesday's minicamp, and was seen walking with crutches on Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams is set to receive a second opinion on his injured leg, but initial indications are pessimistic which could mean the tight end misses some amount of time. Prior to the injury, Williams was projected to fill in as the No. 3 option at tight end behind Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, but the possible seriousness of Williams' issue could open the door for Clay Harbor to secure that spot with little offseason competition.

The Lions have moved Michael Williams from tight end to offensive tackle.

Lions placed TE Michael Williams (hand) on injured reserve, ending his season. Williams broke his hand in the Lions' third preseason game. He was only going to miss a few weeks, but the Lions aren't going to hold a roster spot for a seventh-round blocker.

Lions rookie TE Michael Williams broke his hand in Thursday night's third preseason game against the Patriots. He'll have surgery next week and is now a candidate for injured reserve; the timetable will be lengthy, and the Lions won't save a roster spot for a seventh-round draft pick. Williams was competing for a blocking tight end role.

Lions seventh-round TE Michael Williams believes he's improving as a pass-catcher. Williams, who is 6-foot-5, 278 pounds, was a blocking tight end at Alabama, and the Lions reportedly believe he could eventually make the move to offensive tackle. "I've grown tremendously, just through (OTAs)," Williams said. "I feel myself coming out of breaks faster." Williams' drive to improve is admirable, but even with Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler's Lions futures up in the air, Williams is never going to project as a receiver.

The Lions can envision seventh-round TE Michael Williams moving to offensive tackle later in his career. Williams, a blocking tight end at Alabama, measured 6'5/278 at the Combine. He could get even better once on an NFL lifting and eating program. The Lions are expecting to use Williams as a sixth lineman in short yardage this season.

Lions agreed to terms with No. 211 overall pick TE Michael Williams on a four-year, $2.22 million contract. A blocking specialist for the national champion Crimson Tide, Williams caught just 24 passes as a senior. A burly 6-foot-5, 278 pounds, Williams labored to a 5.19 40-yard dash at Alabama's Pro Day. Although Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler's Lions careers are up in the air, Williams doesn't have a future as a pass-catcher.