Packers' Evan Williams: Pops up with injury Saturday
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Williams is questionable for Monday's game against the Saints with a quad injury.
Williams did not appear on Green Bay's practice report Thursday or Friday before showing up as a limited participant Saturday. The rookie safety has quickly stepped into a significant role in the secondary this season, tallying 49 tackles and three passes defended over 13 appearances. With fellow rookie Javon Bullard (ankle) already ruled out, defensive backs Zayne Anderson and Keisean Nixon will likely step up into bigger roles if Williams ultimately ends up inactive.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Ready for Week 15
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Williams (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday night's matchup against the Seahawks, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.
The rookie safety from Oregon sustained a concussion in the Packers' Week 14 loss to the Lions, but he was able to practice in full both Thursday and Friday and has now cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, per Hodkiewicz. Williams has recorded 45 total tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble through his first 12 games in the NFL. He's expected to serve as the Packers' top strong safety in Week 15.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Full practice Thursday
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Williams (concussion) was a full participant at the Packers' practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Williams was able to increase his participation at practice Thursday after opening the week with a limited session Wednesday. The safety has yet to clear concussion protocol according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, but Thursday's practice is a massive step forward. Williams will look to clear protocol in time to play in Sunday night's matchup with the Seahawks.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Williams (concussion) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Williams exited Green Bay's Week 14 contest versus the Lions early due to a concussion. That was a Thursday game, so he's had more time than usual to try to recover. Williams will need to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in order to be able to suit up Sunday against Seattle. If he can't play, Zayne Anderson could see an uptick in defensive snaps, as he did against Detroit.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Suffers concussion on TNF
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Williams (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday night's contest versus the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Williams suffered the concussion in the first half of the game, bringing his night to a premature end. Javon Bullard will likely continue to handle the bulk of the work at strong safety in his absence.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Being evaluated for concussion
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Williams (head) left in the first half of Thursday's game against the Lions and is being evaluated for a concussion, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
Williams suffered a blow to the head in the first half of the contest, placing doubt on his ability to return to the game. In his absence, Javon Bullard stands to see the bulk of the work at strong safety versus Detroit.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Begins week as limited
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Williams (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Williams played through his hamstring issue in the Packers' Week 11 win over the Bears, recording six total tackles across 67 defensive snaps. This suggests that Wednesday's limited session is most likely precautionary, however, the rookie safety could be in jeopardy of missing the Week 12 matchup against the 49ers if he downgrades to no participation Thursday or Friday.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Limited in practice Wednesday
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Williams (hamstring) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.
Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8 against the Jaguars, which was severe enough for him to be sidelined against the Lions in Week 9. The issue seems to have lingered beyond the Packers' Week 10 bye, as Williams was limited in the first practice of the week, but the rookie fourth-round pick will have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Some hope of returning Sunday
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Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday he was optimistic Williams (hamstring) would be able to play in Week 11 at Chicago, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Williams spent the Packers' last game before their bye on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue he picked up in Week 8 at Jacksonville, but there's hope that will be the only game he'll have to miss as he recovers. His name will be one to watch for when Green Bay releases its first official practice report of the week Wednesday.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Won't play in Week 9
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Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Williams sustained a hamstring injury in the Packers' Week 8 win over the Jaguars and was unable to practice throughout the week, making it no surprise that he'll be sidelined Sunday. Expect Green Bay to move Javon Bullard from the slot to safety to start alongside Xavier McKinney in Williams' stead.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Williams missed Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury.
Williams sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of the Packers' Week 8 win over the Jaguars and did not return. Wednesday's DNP suggests the rookie safety from Oregon could be in jeopardy of missing Green Bay's Week 9 matchup against the Lions. Williams likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to suit up Sunday.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Won't return vs. Jacksonville
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Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Williams injured his hamstring late in the first half of Sunday's game, and it is severe enough for the rookie fourth-rounder to be sidelined for the rest of the contest. Javon Bullard has shifted over to safety while Keisean Nixon has come in as the slot corner.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Questionable to return
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Williams (hamstring) is questionable to return to Green Bay's game versus the Jaguars, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports.
Williams suffered a hamstring injury late in the first half of Sunday's matchup. With the 23-year-old currently sidelined, Javon Bullard has shifted over to safety and Keisean Nixon is now serving as the team's slot corner.
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Packers' Evan Williams: Snared by Green Bay
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The Packers selected Williams in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 111th overall.
Williams comes from a good background for a defensive back, as he was coached by Dan Lanning at Oregon in his senior season. He's not a big-bodied safety at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds and his long speed (4.6) will be tested by pass catchers. However, he's a smart player who plays with an edge and stuck his nose in on 82 tackles in 2023. The Packers drafted Georgia safety Javon Bullard on Day 2 so they're likely hoping that he's the one that takes the starting strong safety job, but Williams has the talent to find his way onto the field in some capacity.
