The Cardinals placed Williams (hip) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Williams ended a two-game absence Week 8 at Minnesota and played 30 percent of the offensive snaps en route to seven touches for 14 total yards while working behind Eno Benjamin with James Conner (ribs) still sidelined. Per Urban, Williams was spotted on crutches after Sunday's contest and now will have to miss at least Arizona's next four games, meaning his next potential appearance is Monday, Dec. 12 against the Patriots. During Williams' time on IR, Benjamin, rookie sixth-rounder Keaontay Ingram and Conner, when healthy, will man the team's backfield.
Nov 2, 2022 2:21 PM EST
Williams didn't practice Wednesday due to a hip injury, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Analysis: Williams put an end to a two-game absence this past Sunday in Minnesota, earning 30 percent of the offensive snaps and turning seven touches into 14 yards from scrimmage. In the wake of that appearance, though, a knee issue has been replaced by another health concern as the reason for his lack of activity at practice. Meanwhile, James Conner (ribs), who has missed the last three contests, was limited Wednesday, so he may be the better bet to be a part of the Cardinals backfield along with Eno Benjamin on Sunday against the Seahawks.
Nov 2, 2022 2:02 PM EST
Williams turned five carries into eight yards and two catches (on three targets) for six yards during Sunday's 34-26 loss in Minnesota.
Analysis: In his return from a two-game absence due to a knee injury, Williams served as the Cardinals' No. 2 running back behind Eno Benjamin with James Conner (ribs) again sidelined. However, Williams' snap share (27 percent) and touch count (seven) paled in comparison to Benjamin's marks (74 and 13, respectively). There's a chance Conner returns to action as soon as Sunday against the Seahawks, which could mean Williams is relegated to little to no opportunities in Arizona's offense.
Nov 1, 2022 9:17 PM EST
Williams (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Minnesota, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: While Williams is putting an end to a two-game absence, the Arizona's No. 1 running back James Conner (ribs) is not, setting the stage for the former to get some work out of the backfield. That said, Williams may play second fiddle to Eno Benjamin, who has notched 34 touches for 178 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD the last two contests. As the healthier option, Benjamin again may be the team's main back, but Williams is a decent bet to get some short-yardage work.
Oct 30, 2022 8:34 AM EST
Williams (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Minnesota, with coach Kliff Kingsbury saying the running back will be a game-time decision, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Williams could have a role with James Conner (ribs) ruled out for a third straight game, but Eno Benjamin likely will get the start after topping 100 total yards in the Week 7 win over New Orleans. The Cardinals also have Keaontay Ingram as a backfield option, limiting Williams' appeal to the deepest of leagues, if that. The Vikes and Cards are scheduled for a 1:00 ET kickoff this Sunday.
Oct 28, 2022 1:51 PM EST
Williams (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Williams and No. 1 running back James Conner (ribs) are attempting to put an end to two-game absences due to their respective injuries. After both managed a pair of capped sessions so far this week, Arizona's backfield is drawing closer to some normalcy. Ultimately, Friday's practice report could reveal if one or both of Conner and Williams are able to join Eno Benjamin at the position Sunday in Minnesota. If all three are active, though, Williams seemingly would be relegated to the No. 3 spot behind Conner and Benjamin.
Oct 27, 2022 2:58 PM EST
Williams (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: The same can be said for the team's No. 1 running back James Conner (ribs), indicating the position group is getting close to being at full strength. An active Conner on Sunday in Minnesota likely would be Arizona's lead runner, but he could yield reps to Williams, if active, and Eno Benjamin. In five appearances this season, Williams averaged 5.9 YPC on his 16 rushes while scoring one touchdown.
Oct 26, 2022 3:01 PM EST
Williams (knee) was ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Saints, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Williams will miss a second game in a row due to a knee injury, but James Conner (ribs) may be able to avoid that fate, per coach Kliff Kingsbury, who told Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com on Wednesday that the second back is a game-time decision. Whether or not an active Conner would lead the backfield remains to be seen, but if he's limited or out Thursday, Eno Benjamin (foot) is line to handle much of the backfield reps after ending Week 7 prep with a full practice.
Oct 19, 2022 1:53 PM EST
Williams (knee) did not participate at practice Tuesday ahead of Thursday's game versus New Orleans, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Williams sustained a sprained knee in Week 5, and it looks increasingly likely that injury will hold him out for a second consecutive week. With James Connor (ribs) also a non-participant at Tuesday's practice, things are shaping up for Eno Benjamin (foot) to work as Arizona's lead back once again Thursday night.
Oct 18, 2022 2:34 PM EST
Williams (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Analysis: Williams suffered a sprained knee during the team's Week 5 loss to Philadelphia and was sidelind for Week 6, along with starting running back James Conner (ribs). Both backs were listed as non-participants, while Eno Benjamin, who took over as the primary running back against Seattle, was listed as a limited participant due to a foot injury. Per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site, coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that Williams is unlikely to play Thursday against the Saints, while Conner is day-to-day.
Oct 17, 2022 1:39 PM EST
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Williams (knee) won't play in Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: As expected, the sprained knee Williams suffered in the Week 5 loss to the Eagles will keep him out for at least one game, with Kingsbury also expressing uncertainty about the running back's chances of making it back for a Thursday night contest Week 7 against the Saints. Top back James Conner (ribs) is also set to sit out in Seattle, likely leaving Eno Benjamin in position to start and handle a lead role out of the Arizona backfield. Rookie sixth-round pick Keontay Ingram and practice-squad call-up Corey Clement are expected to handle depth roles behind Benjamin.
Oct 14, 2022 12:20 PM EST
Williams (knee) wasn't spotted on the practice field Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Williams is absent from practice from the second day in a row and looks on track to sit out Sunday's game in Seattle, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday. Meanwhile, No. 1 back James Conner (ribs) is also sitting out Thursday's practice, while depth back Jonathan Ward (hamstring) was moved to injured reserve Wednesday. The lack of healthy options within the position group seemingly sets up Eno Benjamin to handle a sizable role this weekend if Conner is limited or out.
Oct 13, 2022 11:51 AM EST
Williams sprained his knee in Week 5 versus Philadelphia and is doubtful to play in Week 6, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Williams is not expected to play Sunday against the Seahawks while nurses his sprained knee. In his absence, Eno Benjamin will likely absorb additional backfield snaps, potentially even starting with James Conner (ribs) questionable to play. The Cardinals signed both Corey Clement and Ty'Son Williams to their practice squad, adding additional depth to their banged up backfield.
Oct 12, 2022 8:16 AM EST
Williams left Sunday's game due to a knee injury, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: In the waning moments of the third quarter, Williams was evaluated by team trainers on the sideline before walking to the locker room. This marks the second Cardinals running back to get hurt Sunday after James Conner exited earlier with a rib concern. If neither Conner nor Williams are able to reenter the contest, Eno Benjamin will handle most of the work out of the backfield, with Jonathan Ward in reserve (rookie sixth-round pick Keaontay Ingram was inactive again).
Oct 9, 2022 3:46 PM EST
Williams had four carries for 19 yards and couldn't gather in his only target during Sunday's 26-26 win at Carolina.
Analysis: Williams actually received the first touch among Cardinals running backs Week 4, but he logged the second-most offensive snaps (16 of 76) behind James Conner (50) and ahead of Eno Benjamin (11), while finishing third in touches behind Conner's 18 and Benjamin's six. As such, Williams still seems like the 2B option at best in the team's backfield, which doesn't give him much utility without an absence from one of Conner or Benjamin.
Oct 4, 2022 8:58 PM EST
Williams had one carry for seven yards and didn't haul in his only target during Sunday's 20-12 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: In the wake of James Conner hurting his ankle Week 2, there was a belief Williams would be the beneficiary out of the Cardinals backfield if the former was limited or out Week 3. But Conner ended up playing his typical 60 percent of the offensive snaps en route to 16 touches, while Williams logged 17 percent (and one touch) and Eno Benjamin managed 27 percent (and seven touches for 23 yards). There has been no word of an aggravation of Conner's issue, so Williams appears as if he's currently third on the RB depth chart in Arizona.
Sep 27, 2022 7:07 PM EST
Williams had eight carries for 59 yards and one touchdown while hauling in two of three targets for three yards during Sunday's 29-23 overtime win at Las Vegas.
Analysis: One week removed from being contained to 15 special-teams snaps in his first action as a Cardinal, Williams was the third of the team's running backs to earn touches during this Week 2 contest behind James Conner and Eno Benjamin. Additional opportunity opened up in the second half when Conner left with an ankle injury, allowing Williams to lead the backfield in offensive snaps (40 of 87) and yards from scrimmage (62). Conner's issue isn't believed to be a long-term one, but Williams may be in line for more work in the short term if the former is limited or forced to miss any game action.
Sep 19, 2022 8:32 PM EST
Williams logged zero of 65 offensive snaps and 15 on special teams during Sunday's 44-21 loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: James Conner is the unquestioned No. 1 running back in Arizona, but prior to Week 1 it was unclear who his top backup was among Williams, Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward and rookie sixth-round pick Keaontay Ingram. Ingram was removed as a consideration when he was deemed inactive before Sunday's kickoff. Then, as the opener played out, Benjamin was the only one of the remaining trio to get snaps on offense (22) behind Conner (47), while Williams and Ward (14 plays) were contained to special teams. Williams could enter the game plan as soon as Week 2, but Benjamin was efficient with his seven touches (61 total yards), so the latter seems poised to remain Conner's No. 2 for the foreseeable future.
Sep 13, 2022 8:55 PM EST
Williams recorded two rushes for nine yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 26-23 preseason loss to Tennessee.
Analysis: Williams was the second back on the field behind Eno Benjamin. However, he tallied his first carry of the game at the goal line, and he converted the opportunity for a one-yard touchdown plunge. Williams hasn't gotten much work in the preseason and has potentially slipped behind Benjamin on Arizona's running back depth chart.
Aug 27, 2022 9:59 PM EST
Williams received one carry for three yards in Sunday's 24-17 preseason loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: It was Williams' first work in an Arizona uniform after signing with the club this past offseason. The veteran back received his lone touch with the first unit (starter James Connor rested), indicating that the 27-year-old will likely end up as the primary backup to the Cardinals' workhouse come Week 1.
Aug 21, 2022 11:27 PM EST
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