Don't hold your breath on the return of Jameson Williams. While the Lions remain hopeful the 12th overall pick will play this season, Dan Campbell said Tuesday that Williams is at least another month away from his debut.
"I think we’re looking at December. If I’m trying to forecast here a little bit, I’m hoping sometime in December we get him," Campbell said on the Stoney & Jansen Show.
Williams remains sidelined as he rehabs the torn ACL he suffered 10 months in the national championship. The Lions traded up to draft the explosive wide receiver out of Alabama and won't rush him back on the field. He's too important to the team's long-term picture.
But they do want to get him on the field this season.
Asked if there could come a point where the Lions shut Williams down and delay his debut until next season, Campbell said, "I think that would have to with, we just don’t feel good about him physically. It’s just not worth the risk relative to where his rehab has come, which I don’t forecast that being an issue.
"When he can go, I think it would be good for him to go. He needs some in-game experience, even if it’s only for a couple of games, two or three games. I think those are critical to get under his belt before next year if you can do it."
The Lions will have six games remaining at the start of December, including division tilts with the Bears and Packers to close out the season.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Campbell said the Lions are hoping to increase D'Andre Swift's workload in practice this week to prepare him for a bigger role Sunday against the Bears. Swift had just five touches in last week's win over the Packers as he nurses ankle and shoulder injuries, but Campbell called it "a good sign" that he didn't suffer any setback.
"We'll see what he looks like Wednesday and Thursday. And if he feels a little bit better than he did last week, then yeah, he’s going to get more of a load. I think it’s looking pretty encouraging," said Campbell.
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