FOXBOROUGH — A Patriots team already entering Super Bowl LX with no shortage of motivation is receiving another major lift.
Speaking before practice on Thursday, coach Mike Vrabel said that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams — who has been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer this season — is making the trip to Santa Clara, Calif., with the rest of the team on Sunday.
“He’s doing good,” Vrabel said. “He’s excited about traveling with us. We’re excited about having him.”
Williams, who joined Vrabel’s staff in the offseason after they worked together for years in Tennessee, has been away from the team for a majority of the season as he focuses on his health and treatment.
The 51-year-old Williams has been around the facility during the season, with cornerback Marcus Jones welcoming his return whenever he has stopped by.
“It means a lot,” Jones said of Williams making the trip out west. “First off, battling what he had to battle through and everything like that. So we’re glad that he’s feeling way better … From the beginning, he’s been involved whenever he didn’t have to be.”
With Williams sidelined for most of the season, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has handed play-calling duties as the team’s interim defensive coordinator — with New England’s defense playing its best football in the postseason.
Over three playoff games, the defense has allowed only 26 points.
While Kuhr and the rest of the defensive staff have received plenty of praise from Vrabel, Williams has remained in contact with his fellow coaches and players, serving as a valuable resource.
“He’s as critical a part of the journey as anybody,” linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson said. “So excited for him to be able to go with us, excited for him to be able to experience everything that we went through … He deserves the victory for this upcoming match. So we’re looking forward to getting that for him.”
The Patriots have rallied around Williams all season, often wearing T-shirts that read “T Strong.”
Now, their defensive coordinator will be with them on the road as they try to close out a Cinderella season with a win over the Seahawks.
“Another road warrior,” receiver Stefon Diggs said. “We got a lot of love and respect for Coach T. It’s admirable. Everything that he’s been through, and to see him, even when we see him around the building — everybody’s smiling, everybody’s hollering at him. So it’s definitely a moment to just be shared with everybody.
“This team has been through a lot. A lot of guys have been through — had some family issues, and things like health issues. It just means a lot to us to see guys that care about this game and love this game and want to be around this game and want to be around the guys that they care about. People who love football and give it everything they got. It’s just going to be another road warrior out there.”
Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.