Williams out for Week 15

Lions RB Jamaal Williams was not activated from the COVID list and is out for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. That again leaves Detroit’s backfield to Craig Reynolds, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson. Reynolds led the way with 11 carries and 2 targets last week, but HC Dan Campbell hinted that Jefferson could have a bigger role today. Reynolds is the best fantasy bet, but you should try to avoid this backfield.

The Saints have agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with RB Jamaal Williams, according to multiple reports. The first thing you need to do here is ignore that Williams led the NFL in rushing TDs last year. That won't happen again. Williams logged eight more carries inside the 5-yard line than anyone else in the league -- 12 more than any other RB. He scored on half of those carries. Williams also led the league in red-zone carries and TDs, even while ranking just fifth in team share of red-zone attempts (60%). Williams benefited from a stellar Lions O-line, a run-friendly offense and D'Andre Swift injuries. He does, however, find another upside path in New Orleans. Alvin Kamara is widely expected to get some suspension this year for his pending assault case. Whether it will come this year and how long it will be, though, remains unknown. The Saints clearly imported Williams to at least complement Kamara, as we've seen Latavius Murray and Mark Ingram do before. Bet on Kamara ceding a larger share of carries than he did last year, as he hits his seventh NFL season. That's enough to make Williams a fine pick in his current low-RB3 ADP range. And if Kamara misses significant time, Williams could easily reach high-end RB2 production.

Lions RB Jamaal Williams racked up 144 yards and a TD in Sunday's win over the Bears. His 22 carries were his 2nd most of the season and twice as many as D'Andre Swift garnered in the game. The TD was his league-leading 15th of the season but 1st in 4 games. Williams will get a weak Packers run defense in Week 18.

Lions RB Jamaal Williams delivered his league-leading 13th rushing TD of the season in Thursday's narrow loss to the Bills. He also handled 67% of Detroit RB carries, taking 18 for 66 yards (3.7 per rush). That marked his 4th straight game with 16+ attempts and 3rd consecutive game with a TD. Home matchups with the Jaguars and Vikings the next 2 weeks look decent for Williams' chances of continuing his useful output. RB D'Andre Swift got another measly 5 carries (for 19 yards) but ranked 2nd on the team with 8 targets (4 catches, 24 yards). The 13 opportunities are his largest total since Week 1. RB Justin Jackson added 4 carries for 4 yards and 1 catches for 15 among 2 targets.

Lions RB Jamaal Williams had a mediocre rushing day ... except for his 3 scores from inside the 5-yard line. Overall, Williams gained 64 yards on 17 attempts. D'Andre Swift remained limited, carrying just 5 times and seeing 3 targets. He did manage to score on the ground and caught all 3 of his targets but produced just 32 total yards. We'll keep watching for signals of his workload increasing. Justin Jackson also chimed in with a 9-66 rushing line and an 11-yard catch. Williams has been a TD-reliant fantasy play, but he's now up to 12 rushing scores for the season.

With D'Andre Swift out once again, Lions RB Jamaal Williams led the team in carries (15) and rushing yards (79, 5.3 per carry). Craig Reynolds led Detroit RBs in receiving, catching all 3 of his targets for 18 yards. Williams got just 1 target, catching it for 4 yards.