Jameson Williams 'Could Be' Practicing Before Buffalo Bills Game

Dan Campbell provided an update on when wide receiver Jameson Williams could start practicing with the Lions.

The Detroit Lions are getting close to rookie wideout Jameson Williams practicing with the team. 

Williams has yet to play for the Lions after being selected No. 12 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He suffered a torn ACL in the national championship game while playing for Alabama, and has spent most of the year rehabbing.

Campbell said he doesn’t expect Williams to play in Detroit’s Thanksgiving game, but that a return is growing near.

“Not really, I would say probably after Thanksgiving sometime,” Campbell noted. “I think that’s tentatively what we’re looking at. I don’t know if that would be the Jacksonville week or the week after. It could be next week, but we’re just not doing a ton. He’s close, it certainly won’t be this week and I don’t see him playing for Thanksgiving. But, we’ll see where it goes. He’s progressing, we’ll see where it goes.”

Williams showed game-breaking potential in college prior to his injury, which is why Detroit traded up to get him. In 2021, his final season at Alabama, he caught 79 passes for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Dan Campbell said Jameson Williams is progressing and will likely hit the practice field after Thanksgiving.

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Dealing with Giants' offense

Detroit’s Week 11 opponent, the New York Giants, have enjoyed a resurgence of sorts under first-year head coach Brian Daboll. They’ve surprised plenty with their 7-2 record, which has been keyed by the emergence of running back Saquon Barkley.

With quarterback Daniel Jones also serving as a running threat, Campbell and his staff are working to make sure the Giants’ potent rushing attack is held in check.

“Here’s the thing, Barkley, they’re gonna give him the ball,” Campbell said. “He had, what, 32 carries last week? And, they’ll give it to him over and over. He’ll get six in a row, and he doesn’t lose any steam. That’s the other thing, you’ll see runs, even from last week, three-yard run, one-yard run, two-yard run, 27 (yards). Seventeen, two-yard run, and then, it’s (a) 25-yard run. He is dangerous. He can run between the tackles, but if he finds a crease and if those guys push on him enough up front, they’ll bang away at you. But, he’s got enough patience, and if he can find that crease, he’s got breakaway speed. He’s got strength to get through the hole, and he can turn a routine run into an explosive run like that.”

This season, Barkley has run for 931 yards and six touchdowns.

Campbell emphasized that the defense will have to create a takeaway to generate momentum in Sunday’s game.

Notes

1.) Center Frank Ragnow won’t practice Wednesday, Campbell said. The center suffered an injury last week against the Bears, and was seen in a walking boot following the game.

2.) Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the team will start the 21-day practice clock on wideout DJ Chark.

Chark last played in Week 3, against Minnesota. In three games this season, he’s caught seven passes for 98 yards and one touchdown.

“We’re gonna let him run around today,” Campbell said. “We’ll start his clock, and let him just do some individual work and see how he feels.”