Javonte

Williams

Williams, 25, produced multiple career-bests this season, notably rushing for more than 1,000 yards for the very first time. A multi-year extension could keep Williams in a Cowboys uniform through the rest of his prime. Hopefully, the team can get the No. 2 RB role sorted out in 2026 to help keep Williams fresh down the stretch.

Williams had a breakout year with the Cowboys in 2025, rushing 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground and adding 35 catches on 51 targets for 137 receiving yards and two additional touchdowns. He was one of the true value picks of the fantasy football season as Dallas’ running game came together under new OC Klayton Adams. Williams seems fully recovered from previous knee, quad, and hip injuries and enters free agency in a much better position this offseason, perhaps a position that will keep him too expensive to come back to the Cowboys. The soon-to-be 26-year-old will be one of the best running backs on the market in March.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters early on Wednesday that both Williams and RB Malik Davis (calf/eye) would be limited. Instead, the team listed both players with DNPs yesterday and today. Rookie RB Jaydon Blue could see a fantasy-friendly workload this week against the Giants.

Williams went down with a shoulder injury in Week 17 against the Commanders. He left in the second quarter and was listed as questionable to return but never did so. Malik Davis would be an option for the Cowboys, but his availability for Week 18 is also in doubt because of an eye issue. Jaydon Blue would be the next man up if both backs are ruled out for Week 18.

Williams departed in the second quarter and was seen grabbing at his shoulder. He was deemed questionable to return by the Cowboys before the half. Malik Davis would be in line to serve as the primary back in a solid matchup should Williams fail to return. Williams gained 54 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries prior to departing.

Williams was limited in practice on Monday and Tuesday. The team upgraded him to a full practice today before clearing him for action. Williams’ efficiency has fallen over the second half of the season, but he is still operating as the top back on an offense that should have no issues putting up points versus a horrific Washington defense. Williams will close out the fantasy season as an RB2.

Two limited practices would seem to have Williams well in line to play on Christmas. Will we get a full dose of Williams, or will the backfield continue to trend more towards a split with Malik Davis as the season winds down and the Cowboys are eliminated? The answer will probably tell us a lot about what on paper seems to be an RB2 smash spot against the Commanders.

Williams played through the same neck injury in Week 16 and did not suffer any reported setbacks after the game. The decision to list him as limited is likely more due to load management at this point in the season. Unless the team reports differently, we would expect Williams to be good to go for Week 17’s game against the Commanders. He will be on the RB2 radar if active.

He added two catches for nine yards on three targets. It was his worst fantasy box score since Week 6’s dud against the Panthers, and he saw just 33 of 57 Cowboys snaps as they’re clearly not trying to push Williams down the stretch of a lost season. The good news is that the Commanders are a plus matchup for Williams in Week 17 and he should remain on the RB2 line.

The 25-year-old back should be good to go as he chases more fantasy glory in the final three games of the season. Williams is a high-end RB2 against the Chargers in Week 16’s matchup. Jake Ferguson (calf) also was cleared off the final injury report after three full sessions.