Tyrell

Williams

Signed to a one-year contract in free agency, Williams’ tenure with the Lions comes to an end with 39 snaps and 2/14 receiving. Presumably cleared from the concussion protocol he’s been recovering from since September, Williams might land on a practice squad somewhere if healthy. Kalif Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown will continue starting in his place.

It’s a frightening situation for Williams, who was ruled out for Sunday’s game against Baltimore mid-week. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 6 against the Eagles if cleared from the league’s protocol and at full strength by that time. Quintez Cephus has stepped in for Williams of late, accruing 12 targets — the most among Detroit’s wide receivers — over the last five quarters. He remains a thin FLEX option that could continue to provide value in garbage time.

Williams missed Week 2 while dealing with the same injury and will now be eying a Week 4 return at best. Kalif Raymond, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Quintez Cephus should see the bulk of Detroit’s snaps in three-receiver sets. With little receiving talent to fall back on, Jared Goff will continue to pepper T.J. Hockenson with targets. The third-year tight end trails only Darren Waller in targets this year and enters Week 3 as a top-three fantasy option at his position.

Even with an extra day to get cleared, Williams was always a long shot to play in Monday night’s game. The Lions will turn to Kalif Raymond, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Quintez Cephus in three-wide sets. With Williams out, T.J. Hockenson is one of the top tight end plays of Week 2.

Williams should be considered highly unlikely to play in Week 2 against the Packers. This should open up more routes for Kalif Raymond, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus. Even still, no Detroit wide receiver should be in fantasy lineups this week. More importantly, Williams’ absence could further drive targets to T.J. Hockenson, who has emerged as the Lions’ primary downfield weapon.

Williams is still going through the league’s concussion protocol after taking a helmet-to-helmet shot to the head from S Jaquiski Tartt in Week 1. Kalif Raymond (52) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (50) led Detroit’s receivers in routes on Sunday but the Lions could just as easily continue featuring D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson in place of Williams instead. None of the latter’s potential one-for-one replacements are enticing fantasy options.

Williams took a helmet-to-helmet shot to the head from S Jaquiski Tartt and has since been placed in the league’s concussion protocol. Kalif Raymond (52) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (50) led Detroit’s receivers in routes on Sunday but there’s a tremendous chance Williams’ targets simply get funnelled to D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson again. There’s no need to rush to the wire and add a(ny) Lions WR at this time.

Williams was signed in the offseason to be Detroit’s default No. 1 wideout, but this offense is going to operate through T.J. Hockenson and its running backs. Williams also had to leave this one after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit. He’s not a fantasy option ahead of a Week 2 date with the Packers.

That Perriman was on the roster bubble was clear in mid-August, when the veteran was running almost exclusively with Detroit’s second-team offense. He may have sealed his fate Friday against the Colts, dropping two passes while securing one catch for six yards. The Lions will likely roll with Tyrell Williams, Quintez Cephus, and Amon-Ra St. Brown in three-receiver sets this season. St. Brown is a reasonable late-round pick in PPR formats. Perriman, 28 in September, could land on a practice squad this fall.

Early in the offseason it was unclear if Williams or Breshad Perriman would operate as the Lions primary wide receiver. It now seems likely that Williams is the primary wideout in Detroit. His groin injury appears to be minor, but given a potentially major role in this offense, his health will be worth monitoring.