A former NFL rushing touchdown leader is attempting a comeback, with Jamaal Williams working out for the New England Patriots this week, a move that comes on the heels of a scary injury for Patriots’ lead back Rhamondre Stevenson. Williams, who hasn’t played in over a year, suddenly finds himself back in the league’s spotlight because Stevenson went down hard in their upset win over the Buffalo Bills.
The Rise and Short Absence of Jamaal Williams
Let’s be real, the name Jamaal Williams probably brings back some strong memories if you’ve been following the league. This dude was the NFL’s rushing touchdowns leader in 2022, absolutely owning it for the Detroit Lions. He racked up a ridiculous 1,066 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns that season, serving as Jared Goff’s main man in the backfield. That year, the Lions snagged their first winning season in five years, and Williams was a huge part of it, especially dominating in short-yardage spots as a formidable power back. His epic performance landed him a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. But things cooled down there, as he rushed for 470 yards and just two touchdowns across two seasons, and he’s been out of the NFL for over a year now. Before his Lions breakout, Williams was a fourth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was actually the first of three running backs the Packers drafted that year, looking to bolster a room where Ty Montgomery was the leading rusher with 457 yards the previous year.
Patriots Rushing Attack on High Alert After Stevenson Scare
Now, why are the Patriots suddenly dialing up a guy who’s been out of the game for over a year? Well, their current running back room features Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, and Corey Kiner. Stevenson and Henderson have actually been decent, combining for 304 rushing yards and two touchdowns through the first four games, helping power what’s currently a top 10 rushing offense. But Mike Vrabel and the Pats coaching staff are clearly looking for options, and there’s one big reason why. During New England’s crazy 29-26 upset victory over their rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Stevenson appeared to suffer some kind of lower-body injury on his last touch of the game. He got folded awkwardly after being hit by three defenders, limped off the field talking to trainers, and didn’t take another snap. While he wasn’t spotted in a boot or on crutches after the game, it’s a huge red flag that he didn’t re-enter when the Patriots were trying to chew clock in the fourth quarter. Stevenson is leading their rushing attack this season with 163 yards and one touchdown on 44 carries. The fact they’re bringing Williams in doesn’t automatically mean Stevenson is out for extended time, or even injured at all. They could just be scouting for a veteran for the practice squad. But let’s be real, you don’t typically work out a former rushing champ out of the blue unless there’s a reason for concern.
We’re all waiting for the Patriots’ mid-week injury report to drop Wednesday afternoon to get a real read on Stevenson’s status. Until then, New England’s rushing game is in limbo, and the idea of Jamaal Williams possibly stepping back onto an NFL field just got a whole lot more real. Talk about a curveball early in the season!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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