DeAngelo Williams Injury: Updates on Panthers RB's Finger and Return
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has been out with a hand injury. He was inactive for Week 15. He was inactive for Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns. He will play in the Panthers' Wild Card Game against the Cardinals.
Continue for updates.
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Williams Active vs. Cardinals
Saturday, Jan. 3
Williams is active for the Panthers' Wild Card Game against the Cardinals.
Eric Boynton of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal provides more details on the injury:
Williams Probable vs. Cardinals
Friday, Jan. 2
The Panthers officially listed Williams as probable.
NFL.com's Chris Wesseling has more:
"Stewart is expected to start and handle the majority of the workload versus the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, per The Charlotte Observer.
NFL Media's Jeff Darlington confirms the coaching staff will "continue to ride Stewart's success" while mixing in Williams on a Bank of America surface that took a beating in college football's Belk Bowl just a few days ago.
"
Williams Headed Toward Return
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Steve Reed of The Associated Press passed along comments from Ron Rivera on DeAngelo Williams' status:
Williams Gets First-Team Reps in Practice
Tuesday, Dec. 30
ESPN's David Newton reports that DeAngelo Williams continued to practice Tuesday:
Rivera Concerned, But Hopeful on Williams
Monday, Dec. 29
Ron Rivera spoke about DeAngelo Williams' status as the Panthers prepare for their playoff matchup vs. Arizona, via Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com:
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula was optimistic about Williams' availability, per ESPN's David Newton:
Williams Inactive for Week 17
Sunday, Dec. 28
The Carolina Panthers confirmed that DeAngelo Williams is inactive for Week 17.
On Friday, Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com and Steve Reed of The Associated Press confirmed Williams was probable to play while providing a synopsis of Panthers head coach Ron Rivera discussing Williams:
Williams Practicing, Still Not 100%
Friday, Dec. 26
Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer has the latest on Williams:
Williams Practices in Full on Wednesday
Wednesday, Dec. 24
The Panthers offered an update on Williams' status:
Williams Inactive for Week 16
Sunday, Dec. 21
The Panthers announced Williams would not play against the Browns:
"#Panthers inactives 34 D. Williams, 37 Byndom, 38 Lester, 56 Klein, 61 Love, 63 Foicault, 66 Silatolu
— Panthers PR Dept. (@PanthersPR) December 21, 2014"
Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer and Steve Reed of The Associated Press previously confirmed Williams was listed as questionable:
Williams Being Fitted for Cast
Thursday, Dec. 18
Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer provides an update on Williams' status:
Williams Continues to Practice
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer has an update on Williams:
Williams Out for Week 15
Sunday, Dec. 14
The Panthers announced Williams' status:
Williams Status Revealed for Week 15
Friday, Dec. 12
Steve Reed of The Associated Press has an update on DeAngelo Williams' Week 15 status:
Max Henson of Panthers.com adds more from head coach Ron Rivera:
Williams Practicing With Heavily Taped Hand, Likely to Miss Another Week
Thursday, Dec. 11
Steve Reed of The Associated Press reported on DeAngelo Williams from Panthers practice:
Williams Ruled out for Week 14
Friday, Dec. 5
The Panthers have the latest on Williams:
Rivera Comments on Williams' Status After Missing Practice
Thursday, Dec. 4
Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer reported head coach Ron Rivera's comments on DeAngelo Williams' status:
According to Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer, Williams missed Thursday's practice:
Williams Suffers Hand Injury
Monday, Dec. 1
The Carolina Panthers' running back depth has been pushed to the limit this season, and it will once again be put to the test with DeAngelo Williams ailing.
Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer passed along comments from Ron Rivera on the running back's hand, which may be broken:
This latest ailment is a continuation of what has been an injury-riddled campaign for the University of Memphis product. Williams missed six of the Panthers' first eight games as he dealt with both hamstring and ankle injuries.
He returned from the hamstring issue in Week 4, but he immediately suffered an ankle injury that threatened to keep him out for several weeks.
That ultimately prevented Williams from playing for a month, but he was finally able to return for Carolina's Week 9 Thursday night encounter with the division rival New Orleans Saints.
During Williams' absence, the rushing load was largely carried by Jonathan Stewart. He had some injury problems of his own, though, as he missed three contests with a sprained knee.
With both of the Panthers' top running backs out of action, head coach Ron Rivera had to turn to the likes of undrafted rookie Darrin Reaves, Chris Ogbonnaya and Fozzy Whittaker. Carolina's run game was virtually nonexistent during that period of time, so there is no question that fans were thrilled to see both Williams and Stewart back on the field.
While Stewart has been hampered by injuries throughout his NFL career, Williams has largely been durable. Prior to the 2014 campaign, he missed just one game from 2011 through 2013. The bigger issue with Williams, though, has been his steady decline in play.
At 31 years of age, Williams has already surpassed the magical 30 mark when most running backs tend to break down. In reality, the former Pro Bowler's level of play has gotten progressively worse since rushing for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2008.
Williams hasn't even reached 850 yards rushing since 2009, and now durability has become an issue in addition to his mediocre play.
The Panthers have been a team predicated on possessing the ball offensively and playing strong defensively in recent years, but that has proved difficult in 2014 due to the revolving door they have dealt with in the backfield.
Despite the fact that Williams hasn't been great by any means in recent years, this is still a significant loss on Carolina's part. Williams at least allows the Panthers to offer the threat of the run, and he happens to be their best receiving back as well.
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