Jonathan

Williams

Williams has been on the Commanders’ roster since 2021, playing primarily in a special teams and backup role. He’s rushed 54 times for 231 yards and one touchdown but is well off the fantasy roster even when healthy.

Williams rushed 37 times for 152 yards in 2022. Injuries ahead of him on the depth chart granted Williams a pair of starts to close the year, but most of his reps came on special teams. He logged 171 special teams snaps to just 99 offensive plays. He will return for special teams duties in addition to his backup running back gig for 2023.

Williams was out-touched and out-rushed by second-year running back Jaret Patterson in this one and finishes his season with a line of 37-152-0. The well-traveled vet will be 29 at the start of next season and has been nothing more than a depth piece through his first seven seasons in the league. Whether it’s with Washington or somebody else, Williams will likely get a chance to earn a roster spot in 2023, but won’t have much fantasy upside regardless of where he lands.

Robinson reportedly has a thigh contusion and swelling around the knee he injured last week against the Browns. Jonathan Williams profiles as the Commanders’ lead back with both Robinson and Antonio Gibson out for the regular season finale against Dallas. Williams could see a hefty workload as the only viable backfield option for Washington. Robinson finishes his rookie year with a 205/729/2 rushing line and a 9/60/1 receiving line despite missing the first four weeks of the season due to getting shot in an armed robbery. It is likely that Robinson will enter 2023 as the early-downs part of a committee in Washington, which should put him in the RB2/RB3 tier depending on how things shake out with Washington’s offense. Overall, it was a highly successful rookie season for the third-round pick.

Robinson was surprisingly absent from Wednesday’s practice and was later listed with a knee injury on the team’s report. The rookie running back missed his second-straight practice on Thursday and appears to be trending in the wrong direction for the team’s Week 18 finale against the Cowboys. With Antonio Gibson (knee/ankle) now on injured reserve, it’s possible Jonathan Williams would serve as the team’s RB1 if Robinson is unable to suit up.

There’s been no word about an injury for Robinson. The Commanders having nothing to play for in Week 18 against Dallas and could start rookie Sam Howell at quarterback. It wouldn’t be a shock if both Robinson and Antonio Gibson (ankle, knee) sit for the regular season’s final week, making Jonathan Williams the RB1 for Washington.

Williams drew the start in this one with Antonio Gibson sidelined. In addition to an underwhelming stat line, the Commanders leaned on Williams in several short-yardage situations that were tailor-made for Brian Robinson. With the exception of a 12-yard run on third and short, the Commanders’ faith in Williams to convert in key spots went mostly unrewarded. There’s no reason to consider him in fantasy if you’re looking for options in Week 18.

Williams was added to the injury report with a knee issue earlier today. McKissic was ruled out prior to inactives, leaving the Commanders with Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson as their only active backs. Gibson should handle more passing downs with Robinson earning extra work between the tackles.

Williams had just one carry through the first three weeks but toted the rock five times on Sunday. His longest run of the day came on a 23-yard rush, as Williams led all Commanders with 9.6 YPC. Williams is likely to be a healthy scratch in Week 5 against the Titans if Brian Robinson returns as planned.

Williams was promoted from the practice squad in place of J.D. McKissic (concussion) in Week 14, closing the year with 17/79/1 rushing and 4/28 receiving on six targets across five appearances. He’ll compete for a job on the active roster in 2022.