Jamaal

Williams

Williams has now met with two teams since the weekend, as the veteran running back was also brought in by the Bears on Saturday. Williams blew up for 262-1066-17 in 2022 but has totaled just 470 yards and two touchdowns on 154 carries since 2023 despite playing in 27 games. Williams’ workout comes a day after Alexander Mattison suffered a neck/shoulder injury in preseason action against the Bears. Now entering his age-30 season, Williams won’t have much to offer outside of a rotational and/or short-yardage role, which would make him unreliable for fantasy wherever he signs.

Williams ran for 1066 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022 with the Lions, but has accumulated just 470 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games over the last two years with the Saints. The charismatic running back turned 30 in April. His potential addition would further complicate the backup running back spot for the Bears, where Roschon Johnson and rookie Kyle Monangai slot in behind D’Andre Swift.

Williams ends his Saints career with just 154 carries for 470 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons with the team. He took more than 20 snaps in just four games with New Orleans last year between injuries and the rise of Kendre Miller late in the season. Williams is entering his age-30 season and could make for a reasonable backup for a team that wants a goal-line grinder to spell a back who can stay on the field on third down. The release frees up $1.59 million in cap space for the Saints, meaning they only need to find another $45 million in cuts or restructures to be cap compliant. Easy.

Williams appeared in 14 games with the Saints, but the former touchdown machine was limited to just 48 carries and one touchdown along with 164 yards. The 29-year-old remains one of the best interviews in the sport, but simply put, he’s been a massive bust since his 17-score season in 2022. Williams will likely be looking for a new team in 2025, and new surroundings won’t bring about renewed fantasy relevancy.

After Kendre Miller left the game in the second quarter with a concussion, it was Clyde Edwards-Helaire who got most of the rushing work, not Williams. However, if Miller were to be ruled out for Week 18, both Williams and Edwards-Helaire would likely split the work in the backfield, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the practice reports this week even though neither player would be recommended outside of the deepest fantasy leagues.

CEH was waived by the Chiefs earlier this week. He began the year on the non-football injury list and was activated a month and a half into the season. He was a healthy scratch in every game after that before being cut. With Alvin Kamara banged up, the Saints are in need of some depth at running back. Kendre Miller would draw the start if Kamara misses Week 16. Edwards-Helaire would mix in for backup duties with Jamaal Williams if he can get up to speed in time.

Williams entered the weekend questionable but is expected to play. He is the clear backup running back and should remain off fantasy radars. Saints declared QB Spencer Rattler, RB Jordan Mims, LB Jaylan Ford, OL Lucas Patrick, C Erik McCoy, WR Mason Tipton, and DT Khristian Boyd inactive for Week 13 against the Rams. Patrick and McCoy are out due to ankle and groin injuries, respectively. Their absences leave the Saints offensive line weaker against the Rams.

Williams has been dealing with the groin issue for a month. He was limited for two practices this week but got upgraded to a full session before being listed as questionable, giving him a decent shot at suiting up on Sunday. With Taysom Hill’s role growing by the week, Williams will likely be deployed as the No. 3 running back going forward.

Williams has not played over the last three weeks because of his groin injury, and with back-to-back limited sessions, there’s a decent chance the return won’t come in Week 13 against the Rams. If he was able to get in a full practice Friday, however, that tune could change.

He seems to be trending towards playing for the first time since Week 8. He had just 13 carries in the six weeks before he hit injured reserve. Williams is firmly off the fantasy radar unless one of Taysom Hill or Alvin Kamara get injured at this point.