Is Jamaal Williams playing Thursday night? Fantasy injury update for Jaguars-Saints Week 7 Thursday Night Football

Matt Lutovsky

Is Jamaal Williams playing Thursday night? Fantasy injury update for Jaguars-Saints Week 7 Thursday Night Football image

After a 1,000-yard, 17-TD season in 2022, many viewed Jamaal Williams as a potential sleeper in 2023 with the Saints. However, he wasn't able to take advantage of Alvin Kamara's opening three-game suspension, struggling in Week 1 before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2 that landed him on the IR. Williams is eligible to return for New Orleans' Thursday Night Football matchup against the Jaguars. Will he make it back, and more important, should it affect your Week 7 fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions?

We'll continue to update this article with news on Williams until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:45 p.m. ET.

MORE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: 
DK lineup | FD lineup | Props | ATS pick | Start-sit | Lawrence update

Is Jamaal Williams playing Thursday night Week 7? 

UPDATE (10/18): After another limited session on Wednesday, Williams is officially listed as "questionable" for Thursday night's game.

UPDATE (10/19): NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday morning that Williams is expected to play against Jacksonville.

UPDATE: Williams is officially ACTIVE.

There hasn't been much information on Williams since he was placed on the IR after Week 2, but was listed as an estimated "limited" in practice on Monday. It's likely he'll be limited in actual practice on Tuesday, too, setting him up to potentially play against the Jaguars on Thursday night. 

WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

If Williams is out, fantasy owners can just leave him on their IR for one more week. If he's active, his owners have a tougher decision. The Saints signed Williams in the offseason for a reason, so he'll likely have a key role in the offense eventually. Will it come in his first game back, though? That seems a little less likely, and even if he does see appreciable carries, it will be tough for Williams to find success against Jacksonville's third-ranked run defense. The Jaguars have allowed just 3.6 yards per carry and one RB touchdown all season. 

WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

New Orleans is likely looking to ease Alvin Kamara's workload after he posted at least 24 touches in each of his first three games this year. Williams is always a threat to punch in a short TD like he did so many times last season, but he won't be a reliable source of yards in a part-time role. In a week with six byes and a bunch of big RB injuries, you might feel forced to start Williams, but keep in mind that he's much better suited for standard leagues vs. PPR.

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.