It would be a surprise if it were any other way, but Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams is indeed in line to be on a strict snap count Sunday against the Jaguars.
The Detroit Lions tried to temper expectations all week, which pointed to Jameson Williams not making his NFL debut until next week. But on Saturday he was activated off the non-football injury list, and he will make his debut Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coming off his first three normal NFL practices, the big question is how much Williams will play on Sunday. He may not need a lot of plays to make an impact, but if he played a full-time role it would be a massive surprise.
A snap count is certainly in order for Williams on Sunday. Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network have added the word “limited” to describe the rookie’s expected workload.
#Lions first-round pick WR Jameson Williams will make his debut against the #Jaguars, but he’s expected to be on a very limited snap count, per me and @RapSheet. They’ll ease him in 11 months after his torn ACL.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 4, 2022
"Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday against Jacksonville, but the rookie will be on a very limited snap count in his first game back from an ACL tear, per Rapoport and NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero."
Expectations should be kept in check for Jameson Williams in his debut
With his activation, there have been apparently serious questions out there regarding starting Williams in fantasy football lineups this week. He is absolutely roster-worthy in leagues with 12 or more teams. But starting him this week, on the brink of the fantasy playoffs, is too risky in most situations.
Williams is in line to play 10-20 snaps on Sunday. It’s fair to assume there will be plays designed to go his way when he’s on the field, perhaps a deep ball or two to allow him to show off his speed.
But overall, expectations should be kept reasonable for Williams’ numbers in his NFL debut. In Week 14 against the Vikings, maybe he plays more and is fully unleashed.