Trayveon Williams

Cincinnati Bengals
Running Back #5
Cincinnati Bengals
Running Back #5

Trayveon Williams News

Serves as return man Week 18

Williams played all 21 of his snaps on special teams Sunday in the Bengals' 27-16 win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Williams was active for the Bengals' final seven games of the regular season, but he didn't receive any touches on offense over the last three of those contests while Cincinnati had both of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine available out of the backfield. The Texas A&M product has, however, overtaken Chris Evans as Cincinnati's kickoff returner. Williams brought back two kickoffs for 48 yards against Baltimore to bring his average up to 22.3 yards per runback over 16 attempts during the regular season.

Jan 12, 2023 9:34 AM EST


Minimal offensive role

Williams had just one carry for three yards in Sunday's win over the Chiefs, playing 10 offensive snaps.

Analysis: Williams was still involved on special teams, returning two kicks for 27 yards, but he took a step back from the previous week when he was more involved against the Titans. If Joe Mixon returns as expected this week, Williams might be relegated to special teams only duty.

Dec 5, 2022 9:32 PM EST



Contributes in win

Williams had two carries for 18 yards and one big catch for 16 yards in the Bengals' win over the Titans.

Analysis: Williams is clearly behind both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon when both are healthy, but he's also clearly ahead of Chris Evans should the opportunity arise.

Nov 27, 2022 2:22 PM EST


Set to fill depth role Week 12

Williams is expected to be active for Sunday's game against the Titans, James Rapien of SI.com reports.

Analysis: With lead back Joe Mixon (concussion) having been ruled out for the Week 12 contest, Williams and Chris Evans are poised to serve as depth options behind Samaje Perine, who is expected to step into the starting role. Perine will most likely dominate the snaps and touches out of the backfield, though perhaps not to the extent of Mixon, who played at least two-thirds of the Bengals' offensive plays in every game until Week 11, when he exited in the first half of a win over the Steelers after sustaining the concussion. Mixon's absence should pave the way for Evans and Williams to both have roles on offense, all be it as change-of-pace options behind Perine. Evans likely represents a better bet to relieve Perine on passing downs, while Williams could sub in for Perine in short-yardage or more obvious running situations. Williams suited up for just the second time all season in the win over Pittsburgh, carrying two times for seven yards while failing to secure his only target.

Nov 25, 2022 10:32 AM EST


Healthy scratch

Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Steelers, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Williams made the Bengals' initial 53-man roster, but he was let go a day later to make room for a trio of wavier claims. He then returned to the team after Cincinnati placed multiple people on injured reserve. However, he's a healthy scratch for Week 1 as the Bengals have opted to keep only three running backs on the active roster -- Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Chris Evans.

Sep 11, 2022 8:51 AM EST



Re-signs with Cincinnati

The Bengals re-signed Williams on Friday.

Analysis: Williams made the initial 53-man roster, but he was let go a day later to make room for a trio of waiver claims. However, he's now returned to the team after the Bengals placed Tycen Anderson and Isaiah Prince on IR. The 2019 sixth-round pick has appeared in 26 games of the past three years in Cincinnati, totaling 47 touches for 242 yards.

Sep 2, 2022 11:04 AM EST


Waived by Cincinnati

The Bengals waived Williams on Wednesday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Williams made the initial 53-man roster, but he was let go Wednesday to make room for a trio of waiver claims. The 2019 sixth-round pick appeared in 26 games over three years with the Bengals, totaling 47 touches for 242 yards.

Aug 31, 2022 1:16 PM EST


Solid showing in preseason finale

Williams rushed seven times for 22 yards and caught all four of his targets for 40 yards in Saturday's 16-7 preseason win over the Rams.

Analysis: Williams had a quiet preseason opener but came on over the next two games, racking up 93 scrimmage yards and a touchdown over those two contests. Whether that's enough to make the team remains to be seen, as Williams was used after Chris Evans in this one and remains blocked by Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Evans on the depth chart.

Aug 27, 2022 7:00 PM EST


Used behind Evans

Williams rushed nine times for 28 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for three yards in Sunday's 25-22 preseason loss to the Giants.

Analysis: Williams was the second Cincinnati running back to see the field after Chris Evans, who got the start with both Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine sitting out. Most of Williams' contributions came on the first drive of the second half, which the 2019 sixth-round pick capped with a one-yard rushing touchdown. Williams seems to be locked into the fourth spot on Cincinnati's running back depth chart, which leaves him squarely on the roster bubble.

Aug 21, 2022 7:36 PM EST


Paces backfield in finale

Williams rushed nine times for 38 yards, brought in one of two targets for four yards in the Bengals' 21-16 loss to the Browns on Sunday.

Analysis: Williams got a chance for extended action with Joe Mixon (reserve/COVID-19) unavailable and Samaje Perine going unused in the finale. The third-year pro is unlikely to have any role in the Bengals' upcoming postseason run unless there are multiple injuries in front of him.

Jan 9, 2022 5:01 PM EST


Signed to active roster

Williams was signed to the Bengals' active roster from the practice squad Saturday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Williams has been elevated from the practice squad on two occasions this season. However, he'll now join the roster on a more permanent basis, which could mean bad news for Chris Evans (ankle) from an injury perspective. When active, Williams has played primarily on special teams, but he does have six carries for 13 yards.

Dec 4, 2021 1:43 PM EST


Reverts to practice squad

Williams was reverted to the Bengals' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Williams was called up to add depth to the Bengals running back group with Chris Evans (hamstring) unable to go Sunday against the Jets. Williams ultimately only played eight snaps, all on special teams. If Evans misses Week 9 against the Browns, Williams will look for another chance to play on Sunday.

Nov 1, 2021 6:37 PM EST


Joining active roster

Williams is being promoted to the Bengals' 53-man roster for Sunday's game against the Jets, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Analysis: Williams gets the call with Chris Evans set to miss the game with a hamstring issue. The 24-year-old is unlikely to see much work behind Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine.

Oct 30, 2021 11:54 AM EST


Reverts to practice squad

Williams reverted to the Bengals' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Samaje Perine (COVID-19) was unavailable for Sunday's contest, so Williams was elevated from the practice squad and carried six times for 13 yards behind Joe Mixon. Williams could be elevated against Week 7 if Perine remains sidelined, though Chris Evans would likely continue to work as Cincinnati's top backup at tailback.

Oct 18, 2021 4:45 PM EST


Moves to active roster

Williams was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

Analysis: Williams will take over for Samaje Perine who will not be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Sunday's contest. The 23-year-old made a couple of brief appearances last season when Joe Mixon was sidelined, most notably tallying a 12-carry, three-catch effort as the de-facto starter in Week 14 against the Cowboys. The move essentially guarantees Mixon will be expected to handle his full workload, an important distinction considering he's currently listed as questionable with a nagging ankle injury.

Oct 16, 2021 10:11 AM EST


Doesn't make 53-man roster

Williams was waived by the Bengals on Tuesday.

Analysis: The 2019 sixth-round pick recorded 157 yards on 26 carries and 30 yards on five receptions last season. Samaje Perine and Chris Evans will back up Joe Mixon to start the year.

Aug 31, 2021 6:07 PM EST


Paces backfield in loss

Williams (hamstring) rushed nine times for 44 yards, brought in both targets for three yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards in the Bengals' 29-26 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Analysis: Williams needed to get out on the field Sunday to avoid missing the entirety of preseason and make a final case for a roster spot, and all told, he did well with the opportunity. The third-year pro was solid in 10 games last season, averaging 6.0 yards per carry on his 26 rushes and adding five receptions. Given his solid performance Sunday, Williams may have assured himself a roster spot, although rookie sixth-round pick Chris Evans, arguably Williams' biggest competition for the No. 3 running back role, did flash with a 29-yard touchdown reception against Miami, while backfield mate Jacques Patrick garnered 61 total yards in his own right.

Aug 29, 2021 5:19 PM EST


Won't suit up against Washington

Williams (hamstring) will not face Washington during Friday's exhibition matchup, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Williams will miss his second straight preseason game due to a hamstring injury, making Aug. 29's match against the Dolphins his next chance to suit up. The 2019 sixth-round pick has reportedly put together a strong offseason, but he's facing competition from all of Samaje Perine, Chris Evans, Jacques Patrick and Pooka Williams for a roster spot.

Aug 18, 2021 10:35 AM EST


Injures hammy, out Saturday

Williams injured his hamstring Thursday and won't be available for Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The 2019 sixth-round pick reportedly is having a nice summer after struggling with injuries the past two years, but even if he gets healthy in a hurry, Williams will need to compete for a roster spot and backup work. Samaje Perine, Chris Evans, Jacques Patrick and Pooka Williams are the other backfield options behind Joe Mixon, with Perine and Evans seemingly the chief competition for Williams.

Aug 14, 2021 3:56 PM EST


Infrequently employed

Williams finished the 2020 season with 26 carries for 157 yards, including four carries for 74 yards in the season finale against the Ravens.

Analysis: Williams broke off a 55-yard run in the finale, but despite the big run he got very little work for the remainder of the game. Williams will be entering his third season in the NFL with little game action. With Joe Mixon signed long-term, there's not a lot of hope for Williams to earn a significant role with the Bengals.

Jan 13, 2021 11:03 PM EST


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