Report: Saints Expected to Activate Jamaal Williams Against Jaguars

A beleaguered Saints offense looks like they'll get one of their injured players back to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints are expected to activate RB Jamaal Williams from injured reserve. He'll likely play when the Saints host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football. 

Williams, 28, has missed the last four games after suffering a hamstring injury during a Week 2 win at the Carolina Panthers. Through two games, he's rushed for 74 yards on 27 carries and has two receptions for seven yards.

A fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers out of BYU, Williams has 3,726 rushing yards in seven seasons with the Packers and Detroit Lions. He had a career-high 1,066 yards and an NFL-high 17 touchdowns with the Lions last season before signing with New Orleans in free agency. 

Sep 18, 2023; New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) with the ball against the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY

Williams, along with rookie Kendre Miller, will back up starter Alvin Kamara against Jacksonville. The Saints rank 20th in rushing production after six games, with their 3.4 per carry ranking 28th. They also rank 28th in red zone efficiency. 

Jacksonville counters with the league's 3rd ranked defense against the run. New Orleans will also be without injured starting offensive linemen Ryan Ramczyk and James Hurst against the Jaguars, with G Andrus Peat listed as questionable.