Will Jameson Williams play today vs. Jaguars? Latest updates, injury status of Lions WR

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Will Jameson Williams play today vs. Jaguars? Latest updates, injury status of Lions WR image

The Lions are set to add another high-powered offensive weapon to their arsenal Sunday against the Jaguars.

Jameson Williams, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is set to make his professional debut. The former Alabama receiver has been inactive for the first 12 weeks of his debut season with an injury.

FANTASY: Injury updates on top WRs for Week 13

Detroit has been patient with Williams, making sure he was fully healed before elevating him to the team's active roster. That moment finally came Saturday when the team announced it had moved the rookie off the non-football injury list:

MORE: When will Jameson Williams play for the Lions?

Williams joins an offense that is 12th in the NFL in passing (233.5 net yards per game) and tied for 10th in touchdown passes (17). The speedster made himself a first-round pick in Tuscaloosa with his ability to get behind defenders and take the tops off defenses.

Here's everything you need to know about Williams as he prepares to make his NFL debut:

What happened to Jameson Williams?

Williams has been held out of football activities since the 2022 College Football Playoff championship game, when he tore his ACL on a long completion from Bryce Young against Georgia.

The injury kept Williams from completing the game and may have affected his draft stock. He was the fourth receiver taken in the draft behind Drake London (Falcons), Garrett Wilson (Jets) and Chris Olave (Saints).

But the Lions clearly thought enough of Williams' playmaking ability to trade their 32nd, 34th and 66th overall picks to Minnesota to move up and grab him. Williams finally returned to practice ahead of Detroit's Thanksgiving Day game vs. the Bills.

MORE: Will Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown or DJ Chark be Detroit's top receiver?

Williams said at the time that he was close to 100 percent after rehabbing his knee.

"I wouldn't say I feel rusty, I'm getting back on my feet," he said (via ESPN). "I've been running around for a little minute now. So, it's just, I'm back out with the team. I wouldn't say I feel rusty.

"I'm running real fast right now. I feel real fast. I'm feeling good."

Will Jameson Williams play today vs. the Jaguars?

Williams almost certainly will play vs. the Jaguars on Sunday after being elevated from the NFI list. The question is how much of a factor he will be.

Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that the Lions were so impressed with Williams in practice, they thought he could make an immediate impact vs. Jacksonville:

MORE: Williams switches to No. 9 jersey in Detroit after getting Matthew Stafford's blessing

Jameson Williams stats

Williams is coming off a 2021 season at Alabama in which he was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to college football's top wide receiver. He finished with 79 catches for 1,572 yards (19.9 yards per catch) and 15 touchdowns. He also had 10 kickoff returns for 352 yards and two touchdowns, both against Southern Miss.

Prior to his move to Alabama, Williams played at Ohio State. There, he caught 15 balls for 266 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.