Connor Williams had a tough offseason, dealing with a torn ACL he suffered on Thanksgiving Day against the Buffalo Bills. The former Longhorn spent the spring rehabbing and trying to prepare for the 2020 season.
Williams spoke with the media to discuss his journey back to the field.
“Obviously, it was a very long road,” Williams said on Monday. “First ACL and it’s a huge injury, so I didn’t really know what to expect at first. But slowly day by day, head down, grinded.”
“I honestly feel really great right now and I feel better where I left off last year.”
Now, not only is he is back in practice for the Dallas Cowboys but he is in position to become the team’s starting left guard again. According to Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan, the Cowboys are going to be giving veteran players the chance to start on the offensive line.
Williams was a second-round draft pick of Dallas in the 2018 NFL Draft. Playing tackle for Texas, the Cowboys have moved him inside to the guard position. In his 24 career games, Williams has 21 starts, including all 11 games he played in last season.
"They're going with veteran guys. Looney is your starting center, Connor Williams is your left guard" – @BryanBroaddus
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) August 24, 2020
After veteran center Travis Fredrick retired this offseason, the Cowboys interior offensive linemen have been trying to earn spots.
Williams has been battling Connor McGovern, the second-year lineman out of Penn State. Whoever wins the job will get to play alongside future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith.
“I love the progress that we’re making. I think we’re looking great as an offensive line,” Williams said. “I think we’re all coming together. I think we’re making each other better. I think we’re pushing each other, and I’m very excited where we’re headed.”
Dallas will open their 2020 season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 13. If Williams can stay healthy and continue to compete in practice, he will have the starting left guard sport locked down for the entire season.
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