Dexter

Williams

Williams has yo-yo’d on and off Green Bay’s roster for two years. Last year he got a late-season start with the Packers’ backfield struggling with injuries; he injured his knee after two touches. It’s possible the team could bring back Williams and place him on the practice squad since he’s familiar with the Packers offense.

Williams, Green Bay’s sixth-round pick in 2019, was only called up from the practice squad in Week 9 since both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams were unavailable against the 49ers. With Jones potentially walking in free agency, however, there’s a chance Williams opens the 2021 season as the team’s No. 2 back. He turned 24 on January 4.

The team moved Williams -- who signed with the Packers this week -- from the practice squad to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement. They also released RB Dexter Williams from the practice squad. Williams, 37, played six games with Baltimore this season. It looks like he’ll see the field Sunday in the NFC title game.

Williams was ruled out in the third quarter. Williams’ role was extremely limited with the Packers giving Aaron Jones more work than expected. Regardless of the severity of Williams’ ailment, he can be immediately dropped in fantasy leagues where he was added as a desperation FLEX. Jamaal Williams (COVID-19) and AJ Dillon (COVID-19) figure to be back for Week 10 against the Jaguars.

Per beat writer Ryan Wood, the Packers will “monitor Jones’ calf strain closely,” and they are planning to “complement him with Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams as needed.” Reading between the lines, it sounds like Jones probably would not be playing this week were Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon not on the COVID-19 list. Fantasy managers should maybe plan on something in the neighborhood of 10-12 touches and then hope for more. Even on an uncertain workload, Jones can still be fired up as an upside RB2 because of his game-breaking ability and likely goal-line involvement.

This was expected with the Packers down at least two running backs. Williams, 23, played in four games for Green Bay in 2019 after being drafted in the sixth round. He’s unlikely to get any run if Aaron Jones (calf) is active for Thursday Night Football. Williams would probably play behind Tyler Ervin if Jones is inactive against the 49ers. Fantasy managers should try to find a superior option for Week 9.

Jones, who has missed two games and has barely practiced leading up to the team’s Week 9 game against the Niners, could be activated because the AJ Dillon (COVID-19) and Jamaal Williams are out. Rapoport said there’s a “real chance” Jones gets the nod Thursday night, though it remains unknown how much he would play. Tyler Ervin is the favorite to lead the Green Bay backfield if Jones is out.

This would suggest Aaron Jones (calf) won’t suit up to face the 49ers. We’ll continue to monitor the Green Bay backfield and Jones’ status headed into the Thursday contest. Ervin should be picked up in most leagues in case he gets the call against the 49ers. Dexter Williams is expected to be in the mix too.

The Packers are reportedly “pessimistic” Jones will be ready for Thursday night’s game against the 49ers. With A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams on the COVID-19 list, that leaves return man Tyler Ervin and practice-squadder Dexter Williams to lead the Packers’ backfield if Jones can’t go. Williams would likely be the lead early-down back, making him the preferred fantasy flier/plug-and-play FLEX, though Ervin will also offer some low-end FLEX viability.

Both Williams and LB Kamal Martin were designated high-risk close contacts with AJ Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19. Williams, who was told to not practice Monday, will miss Thursday’s game against the Niners. Aaron Jones’ (calf) Week 9 status is unknown after he logged a limited practice Monday, and Dillon and Williams are out, meaning Tyler Ervin is the team’s only healthy running back right now. Dexter Williams -- who played four games for the Packers in 2019 -- could be called up from the practice squad before the team’s Thursday night game, becoming a savvy waiver add in deeper leagues.