Thomas

Williams

Williams’ injury is the more serious of the two, though the Panthers have yet to provide a timetable for his return. Seriously lacking in depth at linebacker, the Panthers will likely be forced to make a move this week.

Williams was down for a minute and appeared to be knocked out. He’s coming off a concussion sustained two weeks ago, so it’s a good bet that this will turn out to be a multi-week injury.

Williams was expected to miss “extended” time when he sustained a neck injury on top of a concussion just two weeks earlier. The special teamer is a restricted free agent in 2012.

Purely a special teamer, Williams’ season ended early with the Panthers last year after back-to-back concussion and neck injuries in late October.

Williams left the team two days after signing, so the Bucs moved on and signed Nate Triplett instead. It appears Williams doesn’t want to play ball anymore.

Williams is a reserve, but the injury is more bad news for a linebacker corps currently missing Omar Gaither and without Thomas Davis and Jon Beason for the season. Williams will have to pass his baseline tests before returning to practice. With or without Williams, the Panthers’ 31st ranked run defense should be in for another long afternoon against the Redskins in Week 7.

Jason started two games last season, recording 15 tackles and a fumble recovery before tearing his ACL. The Panthers figure to struggle against the run going forward after losing Davis and MLB Jon Beason already this season. We wouldn’t bother targeting either of the Williamses in IDP leagues.

The former Jaguar could be an option on special teams later on.

The team currently has a glut of young talent at linebacker, so Williams will likely be limited to special teams if he makes the squad.