P.J. Williams Injury: Updates on Saints DB's Concussion, Spine and Recovery

New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams suffered a concussion and a possible spinal injury and was taken to the hospital after leaving Week 2's game against the New York Giants strapped to a stabilizing board, according to Joel A. Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate. 

Williams was kneed in the head by both Giants tight end Larry Donnell and Saints linebacker Craig Robertson while attempting to make a tackle, per Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune.

He's been placed on injured reserve, per Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune.

Continue for updates.

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Payton Comments on Williams' Injury

Thursday, Sept. 22

Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Thursday morning that Williams' concussion is "one of the most severe" he had seen.

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Hills Takes Williams' Spot on Roster

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Katzenstein reported the Saints signed offensive tackle Tony Hills to replace Williams on the active roster.

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Latest on Extent of Williams' Injury, Recovery

Monday, Sept. 19

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday morning that "the belief is [Williams] escaped without a spine injury." ESPN's Josina Anderson also noted that sports agent Deryk Gilmore told her Williams will be fine after suffering the concussion and will go through the league's protocol.

The Saints announced that Williams was being evaluated for a concussion Sunday afternoon, though they didn't offer further details. The Associated Press' Dennis Waszak Jr. later noted that the Fox network announced that Williams was able to move his fingers and toes and was taken to the hospital to have his spine looked at. 

Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune, citing a source, later reported that Williams was "alert and doing well" at the hospital. Williams' agent told Anderson (h/t Adam Schefter of ESPN) that Williams was undergoing a CT scan and had feeling in his extremities.

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Williams Receives Medical Attention on Field 

Sunday, Sept. 18

According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, eight doctors and trainers attended to Williams, and he appeared to lie motionless as the medical staff examined him, per Dan Duggan of NJ.com. Bobby Childs of the Open Line show and the New York Daily News shared images of the scene:

Williams, 23, is in his second season with the Saints. After missing the entire 2015 season with a torn hamstring, the third-round pick won the starting job at cornerback opposite Delvin Breaux in training camp.

The Saints are now thin at cornerback. Breaux suffered a broken fibula last week, leaving Sterling Moore and undrafted rookie Ken Crawley as the team's starting pair.