The Detroit Lions’ running back room just got a much-needed shot in the arm with the reported signing of UDFA rookie Roydell Williams, and let’s be real, this move screams ’emergency’ louder than a stadium fire alarm. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz broke the news that the Lions are bringing in Williams to support a backfield that has been absolutely clobbered by the injury bug during the final week of training camp. While the Lions’ RBs have looked seriously solid and even performed above expectations in a recent game, their depth chart is looking thinner than a summer rain jacket right now.
The Injury Report Looks Like a Horror Show for Detroit’s Backfield
Seriously, what in the world is going on in Detroit? The injuries and absences in that running back room are wild. Starter Jahmyr Gibbs missed the beginning of camp, holding out for a new contract extension. He’s practicing in full now, which is a relief, but word is he’s unlikely to play in the final preseason game. That means the guys behind him need to step up, and that’s where the wheels have really come off. Isiah Pacheco, Gibbs’ direct backup, is sidelined with an MCL sprain and has been out for two weeks. He’s a huge question mark for practice and the last preseason contest.
Then there’s RB3 Sione Vaki. He had an eye injury and a broken nose, missed time, came back to a heavy practice load, then immediately got hit with back spasms that kept him out of their last preseason game. Yeah, he’s also a question mark. Even Jacob Saylors, the steady RB4, only just returned from an ankle injury less than a week ago. And if you thought that was bad, his challenger, Jabari Small, who’s been an ascending player, suffered a concussion in Saturday’s game. That could keep him out of practice this week! Talk about a nightmare scenario.
Who Is Roydell Williams, and Why Is He Here?
So, with all that chaos, who is Roydell Williams, this new guy they’re scrambling to sign? He’s an undrafted rookie who started his college career at Alabama, playing four seasons as a reserve. He then transferred to Florida State to finish things off. The dude only had five college starts, went undrafted, and originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts after the draft. However, the Colts released him just five days ago to clear space for veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. So, he’s getting a second chance, but it’s clearly a necessity-driven signing for the Lions.
With Gibbs unlikely to play, and Pacheco, Vaki, and Small all question marks, the Lions were looking at Jacob Saylors, Trayvon Williams (who was Player of the Game last week, by the way!), and Raheem Blackshear to finish out the preseason. Adding Roydell Williams gives them some much-needed depth. It means they don’t have to rush anyone back from injury, which is smart, and it also gives Williams a shot to impress enough in this final week to maybe snag a practice squad spot. We’ve seen that kind of late-preseason magic happen before, remember Jake Fromm doing it as a quarterback a few preseasons ago? It’s a long shot, but sometimes that’s all a guy needs. The Lions need healthy bodies, and Williams needs a chance. Let’s see if he can make the most of it in this final preseason push.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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