Jamaal Williams injury update: Packers running back (concussion) clears protocol 2 weeks after scary hit

Chelsea Howard

Jamaal Williams injury update: Packers running back (concussion) clears protocol 2 weeks after scary hit image

Packers running back Jamaal Williams has cleared the concussion protocol, the team announced Friday, just two weeks after he took a scary hit against the Eagles in Week 4.

Williams has been given permission to practice in full, though it's not clear at this point when he will return to game action. 

“You can’t be scared playing football,” Williams said. “I got the green light so I’m good. I’m going to go out there and play like ain’t nothing happened. That’s how you’re supposed to play. I’m not going to change the way I play.”

Williams was injured during the first quarter of Week 4 and had to be stretchered off the field after a late helmet-to-helmet hit from Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett, who was penalized for unnecessary roughness but not ejected. Williams was taken to a nearby hospital and evaluated for head and neck injuries. 

Williams opened up about the hit, saying “it’s an experience I don’t want to go through again" because he doesn't want to miss any games.

“I’ve been having a lot of people come up to me and be like, ‘I’m just glad you’re walking,’” Williams said. “I don’t even know what people are talking about. It’s just a regular day for me. I’ve seen the hit but … I looked like a fish out there.”

Williams also said he doesn't have any hard feelings against Barnett.

“It’s football. It’s what I signed up to play,” he said.

Williams, 24, has 26 carries for 87 yards and eight catches for 55 yards and a touchdown this season.

The Packers (4-1) will host the Lions (2-1) on Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Chelsea Howard