Williams had zero carries and hauled in his only target for seven yards during Sunday's 21-14 defeat to the Rams.
Williams reprised his role as the Saints' RB2 after missing the previous three games with a groin issue. But, that still didn't mean he would factor into their gameplan, as Alvin Kamara once again carried the load out of the backfield while playing 86 percent of offensive snaps. Do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill also featured into his usual role in the rushing game before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in the fourth quarter. With no other player capable of filling Hill's unique role in the offense, New Orleans will likely have to make up for his absence by leaning on its other tight ends and rushers. This could lead to more opportunities as a short-yardage power back for the 224-pound Williams. It will be worth monitoring how he is deployed behind Kamara during this coming Sunday's road game against the Giants.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Back in action Sunday
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Williams (groin) is listed as active Sunday against the Rams.
After following an LP/LP/FP practice regimen this week, Williams has put a groin injury behind him and is in the clear for his first game action since Week 8. Considering Alvin Kamara remains the Saints' workhorse back, Williams likely will be relegated to a complementary role, which amounted to 16 touches for 55 yards from scrimmage in his six appearances prior to his recent three-game absence.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Questionable after full practice
Rotowire
Williams (groin) was a full participant in practice Friday but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Williams' ability to practice without limitations Friday following a pair of limited sessions bodes well for his chances of returning for his first action since Week 8. If Williams makes his return Sunday, he'll likely work in a complementary role behind Alvin Kamara.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Estimated as limited Thursday
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Williams (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's estimated practice report.
Williams has missed the Saints' last three regular-season games due to a groin injury. The veteran running back will have one more chance Friday to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Limited in return to practice
Rotowire
Williams (groin) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.
Williams took part in his first recorded on-field work since Nov. 7, as he appears to have used the Saints' Week 12 bye to improve on the health front. His last game action occurred Week 8 at the Chargers, so he may need to string together multiple practices in a row to have a chance to return Sunday against the Rams.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Out another week
Rotowire
Williams (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
With Williams missing a third straight game, Jordan Mims again figures to serve as the No. 2 running back behind workhorse Alvin Kamara. Williams didn't practice at all this week, and his next chance to play will be on the other side of an upcoming Week 12 bye.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Sitting out another practice
Rotowire
Williams (groin) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.
Williams has sat out the Saints' last two games and has yet to take any practice reps this week, so he may be facing an uphill battle to gain clearance for Sunday's contest against the Browns. If Williams remains out for another game, the Saints could continue to lean on Taysom Hill and Jordan Mims to spell lead back Alvin Kamara.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Sits out practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Williams (groin) didn't take part in practice Wednesday.
Dating back to last week, Williams has been listed as a non-participant in two straight practices due to a groin issue, missing the last two games a result. He was seen on an exercise bike in the open portion of Wednesday's practice, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, so it's unclear where Williams stands in his recovery effort as Sunday's game against the Browns approaches.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Not playing Sunday
Rotowire
Williams (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Williams sat out the Week 9 loss to Carolina, but he appeared to be tracking toward a return this weekend after he was a limited participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday. However, he took a step backward with no participation in Friday's practice and will now miss a second straight contest. With Williams sidelined once again, Jordan Mims is left as the lone available backup running back behind Alvin Kamara.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Status up in air for Sunday
Rotowire
Williams is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons after aggravating a groin injury this week, per Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Williams opened Week 10 prep with back-to-back capped sessions before ending it with a DNP on Friday. He thus appears to be truly questionable following comments from interim coach Darren Rizzi, who said Williams isn't likely to play Sunday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Assuming Williams is deemed inactive about 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Jordan Mims will be the running back to see action whenever starter Alvin Kamara needs a breather.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Limited again Thursday
Rotowire
Williams (groin) remained limited in Thursday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
With Kendre Miller (hamstring) back on injured reserve, Williams has resumed RB2 duties behind Alvin Kamara, though Taysom Hill is the likelier of he and Williams to see more carries. After registering 19 carries across Weeks 1 and 2 this season, Williams has failed to top three carries in a single game since.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Limited in practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Williams (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Williams was ruled out in advance of this past Sunday's loss to the Panthers after he was a limited practice participant throughout the week, so the fact that he's continuing to practice with restrictions to begin Week 10 prep doesn't represent progress. If Williams is able to advance to full participation Thursday or Friday and gets cleared to play Sunday against the Falcons, he'll likely work in a complementary role behind Alvin Kamara in a Saints offense that could lean more heavily on the run due to its numerous injuries at receiver.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Ruled out for Week 9
Rotowire
Williams (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Williams has been limited in practice all week due to a groin injury, but the issue is too severe for him to suit up Sunday. His next opportunity to suit up will be Week 10 against Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 10. With Williams out and Kendre Miller on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, the Saints signed Jordan Mims from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Saturday to serve as Alvin Kamara's backup for Sunday's contest.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Doubtful for Week 9
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Williams (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Carolina, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Fellow backup running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) has been ruled out, likely forcing the Saints to promote Jordan Mims and/or Jacob Kibodi from the practice squad before Sunday. It figures to be a busy afternoon for lead back Alvin Kamara, who also happens to be facing the NFL's worst team.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Limited in Thursday's practice
Rotowire
Williams (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Williams has logged consecutive limited practices while working through a groin injury. He's faring better than fellow running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) this week, and Williams would figure to operate as the No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara (hand/rib) on Sunday against the Panthers if Miller cannot play. Friday's injury report will provide more clarity on the backfield trio's status heading into Sunday's NFC South clash.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Nursing groin injury
Rotowire
Williams (groin) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's injury report.
Williams played 30 snaps (21 on offense, nine on special teams) during the Saints' Week 8 loss to the Chargers and finished with just two carries for four yards. It was his highest snap count since Week 1, but that was due to Kendre Miller suffering a hamstring injury early in the second half. Miller was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report, and if he cannot play against the Panthers on Sunday, Williams would reprise his role as the No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara, assuming Williams is able to overcome his groin injury.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Serves as RB3 in loss
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Williams logged three carries for 17 yards during Thursday's 33-10 defeat to the Broncos.
Williams appeared to fall back on the running back depth chart after four consecutive games with fewer than 12 rushing yards. The 29-year-old was already a non-factor behind bell-cow starter Alvin Kamara, but he was overshadowed Thursday by second-year running back Kendre Miller, who logged six carries after missing the first six games with a hamstring injury. Williams and Miller both saw just one rushing attempt in the first half, so it's hard to say that either made much of an impact. It's probably too early to say that Miller has secured the No. 2 running spot given his injury history, but Thursday's workload certainly indicates that a change could happen soon. It will be worth monitoring whether Williams or Miller sees more action behind Kamara during next week's game versus the Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 27.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Plays minimal role in loss
Rotowire
Williams tallied two rushes for nine yards during Monday's 26-13 defeat versus the Chiefs.
Williams logged five or fewer touches for the third game in a row. The 29-year-old running back has not seen significant playing time since the Week 2 blowout versus Dallas, as Alvin Kamara has shouldered most of the workload even while Taysom Hill has been injured over the last three weeks. Williams saw more usage as a kickoff returner over the past two weeks, but there's no signal that he'll start to get more opportunities on offense moving forward. His best odds of seeing the field will come in either blowout wins or losses.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Logs five touches versus Atlanta
Rotowire
Williams logged three rushes for 11 yards and caught all two targets for eight yards during Sunday's 26-24 defeat to the Falcons.
Williams once again played sparingly behind starting running back Alvin Kamara. The 29-year-old backup has only had a significant role during garbage time in back-to-back blowout wins Weeks 1 and 2. Instead, Taysom Hill has been the No. 2 rushing option when healthy for the Saints. Hill logged six carries for 24 yards and two touchdowns Sunday before sitting out the entire second half with a ribs injury; yet, Williams still logged zero carries and just two targets during the second half. Williams' lack of usage when Hill has been injured over the last two weeks casts plenty of doubt on the former's opportunities moving forward.
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Saints' Jamaal Williams: Non-factor in Sunday's loss
Rotowire
Williams logged one rush for minus-1 yard and hauled in one of three targets for no gain during Sunday's 15-12 loss to the Eagles.
Williams didn't see increased playing time despite the absence of injured tight end Taysom Hill (chest), who served as the Saints' No. 2 rushing option behind Alvin Kamara in Weeks 1 and 2. Instead, Kamara shouldered virtually the entire workload out of the backfield with 26 carries and three catches (on three targets) versus the Eagles. Williams totaled 19 carries while primarily playing during garbage time in New Orleans' previous two games, so his lack of usage in the Saints' first non-blowout win is a discouraging sign for his role moving forward -- even if Hill continues to miss time with a bruised lung. Williams' next chance to carve out a bigger workload will come against the division-rival Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 29.
