Lions head coach Dan Campbell offers realistic update on Jameson Williams

A Thanksgiving morning report was pretty optimistic, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell had a more realistic update on Jameson Williams Monday.

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams started practicing last Monday, which itself started a 21-day window for him to be added to the 53-man roster as his recovery from a torn ACL winds down

Last Thursday morning, Thanksgiving morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported there was a good chance Williams would make his debut in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The important caveat there was making it through a more typical practice week “unscathed.”

Williams’ return to practice last week was lighter sessions on a short week.

Dan Campbell offers realistic update on Jameson Williams

However obvious his words were, Campbell made it clear what the team has to see from Williams before he’s activated. This week’s practices, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, will be a first true test for Williams in many of the regards Campbell alluded to–essentially higher intensity, at or close to game-like speed.

Speaking to the media on Monday to kickoff the new week after a mini-bye, Campbell had a realistic update on Williams and Romeo Okwara. The veteran edge rusher is getting close to coming back from a torn Achilles.

Via SI.com:

"I think so,” Campbell claimed when asked if it would be a tall order for both to play. “But there again, we’re open to anything. And they’re certainly gonna get more reps than they’ve gotten this week, so we’re gonna get a real good look at them.”"

Speaking strictly about Williams, Campbell noted what will be coming this week.

"This week will really give him a look against somebody covering him. We’ll get some one-on-work with him, DB’s covering him, we’ll get team work, he can run scout cards, so all that will be good for him.”"

So it may be a “tall order” for Williams to make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Jaguars. But the way the Lions have played his recovery, Campbell’s words on Monday aren’t surprising.

If Williams doesn’t end up on a pretty definite track to make his debut the following Sunday, Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, then there can and should be more questions interlaced with some legitimate concern about Williams’ recovery almost a year from his injury.