It seemed like Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams would be more involved by now, and after the Week 16 loss to the Panthers he acknowledged a social media post that pointed to it.
It wasn’t, or at least seemed it wasn’t, going to be this way. Four games into his NFL career after his debut was delayed by a torn ACL in last year’s college football national title game, Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams has one catch for 41 yards (albeit for a touchdown) on five targets.
At least he hasn’t been used as gunner on the punt team, right?
In his four games, Williams offensive snap counts and snap shares have gone like this (via Pro Football Reference).
Week 13 vs. Jaguars: eight snaps (11 percent share)
Week 14 vs. Vikings: 13 snaps (nine percent share)
Week 15 at Jets: 13 snaps (nine percent share)
Week 16 at Panthers: 11 snaps 17 percent share)
It’s definitely a process to get a wide receiver ingrained into an offense late in the season, let alone a rookie coming off a major injury. Williams and quarterback Jared Goff are working on their chemistry while the Lions have been trying to win games and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Jameson Williams acknowledged social media post about his lack of usage
The activity of players on social media is an easy attention-grabber, and it’s easy for someone to claim “I was hacked.” But when it’s a more intentional move on those platforms, it becomes noticeable and more noteworthy.
After Saturday’s game, a Twitter post from @RueDoggy said “Get the ball in Jameson Williams hands man, I don’t wanna hear it.”
Williams liked the post.
The coaching staff needs to get Jameson Williams more involved!
— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) December 25, 2022
Looks like he agrees too. #Lions pic.twitter.com/AeWUGqO0Fs
As noted by Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, the field conditions in Charlotte likely played a role in Williams not seeing more snaps against the Panthers as he was targeted just once. Concern about the field conditions is a perfectly understandable reason to limit Williams’ workload, even if it’s also understandably frustrating for fans.
A few Lions have said both publicly and privately the field in Carolina was in terrible playing condition. Have to think that played into the lack of Jamo (13 snaps) on Saturday. https://t.co/PXMK6eNiOd
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) December 26, 2022
Jamo has gone 8, 13, 13 and 11 snaps (I gave him 2 too many in CAR). Not the ramp-up many expected, to be sure https://t.co/CxgmU4mbN2
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) December 26, 2022
DJ Chark performing as well as he has been as the primary downfield threat for the Lions lately, with more than 90 yards in three of the last four games, has definitely played some role in how little Williams has played. But you can’t fault the rookie for wanting to see the ball more, as a natural extension of playing more. He just took an opportunity to acknowledge the outside sentiment.