Evan

Williams

Watson practiced fully on Tuesday and Wednesday before being downgraded with an illness on Friday. Fortunately, the Packers’ No. 1 wide receiver is good to go. Both the Packers (9-5-1) and Bears (11-4) have secured playoff spots, though the exact seeding has not yet been determined. The Packers declared QB Jordan Love, DL Collin Oliver, OL Zach Tom, WR Savion Williams, DL Nazir Stackhouse and DL Barryn Sorrell inactive for Week 17 against the Ravens. Packers S Evan Williams (knee) is active. As expected, QB Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) gets the start.

Both Watson and Josh Jacobs will be active for the pivotal division showdown against the Bears. Watson should be considered a WR3 for the contest. The Packers inactives for the Saturday showdown will be S Evan Williams, RT Zach Tom, DL Quinton Bohanna, TE Josh Whyle and DL Nazir Stackhouse.

The rookie fourth-rounder has been operating as Green Bay’s No. 3 safety. He’s been earning strong marks from Pro Football Focus. Williams has 10 days to get cleared for Week 15 against the Seahawks.

A bay area native with a mid three-star recruiting profile, Williams (5’11/206) initially enrolled at nearby Fresno State where he earned five starts as a true freshman despite enrolling in July 2019. He proceeded to become a fixture in the Bulldogs’ lineup for the next three years, recording 185 tackles and 11.0 TFL while receiving All-MWC recognition in each. Williams grad-transferred to Oregon for his final year and didn’t skip a beat despite the jump in competition. The Second Team All-Pac-12 safety led the Ducks with 82 tackles while wreaking havoc in blitz packages with 4.5 sacks. Oregon HC Dan Lanning split his reps pretty evenly across the formation, logging a career-high 165 slot snaps as opposed to his previous strong safety-heavy usage at Fresno State. Williams profiles as a hard-hitting enforcer who is ill-suited to carry receivers down the field and struggled to make plays on the ball at Oregon.