Tag: Dee Williams

Giants injury report: Micah McFadden, Evan Neal continue to sit out

New York Giants LB Michael McFadden, and OL John Michael Schmitz and OL Evan Neal continue to miss practice ahead of a Week 18 game.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 18 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll updated the status of several injured players, including linebacker Micah McFadden and center John Michael Schmitz.

“No change,” he said of the pair and right tackle Evan Neal.

Daboll also noted that little else would change up and down the injury report. Linebacker Brian Burns and wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheater were among those who remained limited.

Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is nursing a toe injury, practiced in full for the second straight day.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: DL Armon Watts (knee), LB Micah McFadden (neck), OL John Michael Schmitz (ankle), OL Evan Neal (rib/hip)

Limited participant: LB Brian Burns (illness), DL Cory Durden (shoulder), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (shoulder), DB Greg Stroman Jr. (shin), LB Ty Summers (neck), WR Malik Nabers (toe)

Full participant: OL Jake Kubas (shin), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (toe), DB Dee Williams (toe)

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Giants injury report: Micah McFadden, Evan Neal miss practice

New York Giants LB Micah McFadden and OL Evan Neal were among a handful of players who missed practice on Wednesday.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for a Week 18 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Before taking the field, head coach Brian Daboll stepped up to the podium and spoke with reporters.

Daboll revealed that defensive lineman Armon Watts, who suffered an ugly-looking injury in Week 17, underwent knee surgery and be out on Sunday.

Meanwhile, linebacker Micah McFadden and offensive lineman Evan Neal are among those who will miss practice on Wednesday.

“So, a few people won’t practice this today,” Daboll said. “Micah still won’t practice. JMS still won’t. Evan Neal and Watts.”

The Giants’ full Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: DL Armon Watts (knee), LB Micah McFadden (neck), OL John Michael Schmitz (ankle), OL Evan Neal (rib/hip)

Limited participant: LB Brian Burns (illness), DL Cory Durden (shoulder), WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (shoulder), DB Greg Stroman Jr. (shin), LB Ty Summers (neck), DB Dee Williams (toe)

Full participant: OL Jake Kubas (shin), LB Kayvon Thibodeaux (toe)

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Giants injury report: Malik Nabers remains sidelined

New York Giants WR Malik Nabers and OL John Michael Schmitz continue to miss practice and their status for Week 17 is uncertain.

The New York Giants took the field on Thursday for their second of three practices ahead of a Week 17 game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Beforehand, head coach Brian Daboll updated the status of several injured players, including wide receiver Malik Nabers, who is now nursing a toe injury.

Daboll also revealed that center John Michael Schmitz remains sidelines and that guard Greg Van Roten would take some snaps at center.

“See where they’re at (on Friday),” he said of JMS and Nabers.

With offensive line injuries a continuing problem, the Giants signed tackle Ricky Lee to the practice squad. They also re-signed defensive back Alex Cook to the reserve unit.

The Giants’ full Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: LB Micah McFadden (neck), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle), WR Malik Nabers (toe), OL John Michael Schmitz (ankle), CB Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin), S Raheem Layne (knee), DB Dee Williams (toe)

Limited participant: OL Jermaine Eluemunor (wrist), QB Drew Lock (shoulder), DT Cory Durden (shoulder), OL Greg Van Roten (knee)

Full participant: OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula), OL Aaron Stinnie (concussion), CB Andru Phillips (knee), S Dane Belton (knee), DL Jordon Riley (knee), DL Armon Watts (shoulder)

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Giants claim return man Dee Williams off waivers from Seahawks

The New York Giants have claimed struggling return man Dee Williams off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.

The New York Giants will enter Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints riddled with injury and coming up short in the numbers game, especially on special teams.

“I think in general, from a special teams’ perspective, you’re always trying to create flex for these moments when injuries happen,” coordinator Michael Ghobrial said this week. “Sometimes it feels like maybe there’s a season with more injuries than another, but I think that’s always in the back of any special teams coach’s mind, is if something happens, how do you position your players to get your best 11 out there?”

That’s become a tricky situation, and it led the Giants to claim return man Dee Williams off of waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Friday.

The 25-year-old Williams signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Tennessee in April. In 12 games this season, he returned 15 punts for 111 yards and nine kickoffs for 254 yards.

But it did not go as well as the numbers may indicate, notes Mookie Alexander of Field Gulls.

I wish I could be nice about it but Williams was an unmitigated disaster. He muffed a punt inside his own 10 in his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos. He let another punt bounce to the 1-yard line in the same game, resulting in an eventual safety. He should’ve been called for another muffed punt against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 if not for a television technicality, and wrongly took a kickoff out of the end zone for minimal yardage after dropping it. He muffed a punt in Week 8 versus the Buffalo Bills, and the Jets game was obviously the final straw.

The Giants have issues of their own with running back and return man Eric Gray, who has fumbled three times this season. But they’re in desperate need of bodies and Williams certainly provides that.

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Will Jaelon Darden solve Seahawks’ special teams woes?

Will Jaelon Darden solve Seahawks’ special teams woes?

The Seattle Seahawks were fortunate to survive a disastrous special teams performance against the New York Jets in last Sunday’s Week 13 win. Veteran return man Laviska Shenault Jr. fumbled twice. Shenault Jr. recovered one of those cough-ups, and the Seahawks eliminated the other one by scoring a pick-six return touchdown on the Jets’ ensuing possession.

Fellow return man Dee Williams also lost a fumble and the Jets capitalized on that error by scoring a touchdown. There were other errors, such as a Jets 99-yard return touchdown. Days later, the Seahawks parted ways with both Williams and Shenault Jr., releasing both players in separate transactions.

Getting rid of both return men left the Seahawks without clear-cut replacement options on the active roster. General manager John Schneider responded to that challenge by claiming wide receiver Jaelon Darden off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.

Darden first entered the league as a fourth-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in the 2021 NFL Draft. Darden returned punts all four seasons while at North Texas, and also had some experience returning kickoffs. Since joining the pro ranks, he’s continued to be a sure-handed returner.

Darden has returned 78 career punts for 760 yards, averaging a stellar 9.7 yards per return. As a kickoff returner, he’s totaled 27 returns for 565 yards. Most notably for the Seahawks, Darden has never muffed a single punt or kickoff despite a sizable 115 career chances.

Darden has never scored a return touchdown, and his per-return numbers are fairly average, but reliability is often a returner’s best ability. Shenault Jr. and Williams were literally costing the Seahawks possessions and points. Darden should come in and quickly improve the Seahawks’ special teams return outputs.

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Seahawks waive WR/KR Dee Williams

Seahawks waive WR/KR Dee Williams

Dee Williams has muffed his last return for the Seattle Seahawks. On Thursday, the team officially waved cornerback/return specialist Dee Williams following yet another game with a fumble. Against the New York Jets, Williams fumbled a kick off after New York already scored, leading to another Jets touchdown to give them a 14-0 lead over the Seahawks.

Handling returns has been a season-long misadventure for Williams, and has contributed to Seattle’s mostly atrocious special teams this year. It appears the Week 13 game against the Jets was the final straw for both Williams, and his fellow return man Laviska Shenault Jr. – who was waived earlier this week, and recently claimed by the Chargers.

Shenault and Williams almost single-handedly gave the game away to New York with their fumbles. Clearly, this was not a situation the Seahawks were willing to risk happening again. Seattle has officially cleaned house at this position. Filling the role is likely to be wide receiver/return specialist Jaelon Darden, who was claimed by the Seahawks after being waived by the Cleveland Browns this week.

As mentioned earlier, Seattle’s special teams have been a considerable liability for the team. The usually rock-solid unit has given away far too many points/opportunities to opponents. The Seahawks were fortunate to be playing the perennially dysfunctional Jets, but had they been competing against an actually competent team, they might not have been able to overcome such self-inflicted wounds.

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Seahawks are still making decisions regarding returners in Week 14

Seahawks are still making decisions regarding returners in Week 14

The Seattle Seahawks are entering Sunday’s critical Week 14 showdown with the Arizona Cardinals with unanswered questions at the kickoff and punt return positions. The Seahawks survived an all-time terrible special teams performance in the Week 13 win over the New York Jets.

Laviska Shenault fumbled on two occasions, losing one. Somehow, neither of those errors led to points for the Jets. The Seahawks still responded appropriately, releasing Shenault from his contract earlier this week.

Dee Williams is the logical in-house answer, but he’s also come under scrutiny for his fumbles and turnovers this season. With Shenault officially gone, will Williams receive another opportunity? Head coach Mike Macdonald is still mulling his options, along with special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, he told the media on Wednesday.

The straightforward alternative solution would be third string running back Kenny McIntosh. McIntosh is currently on the 53-man roster and has returned two kicks this campaign, gaining 35 yards (17.5 yards per return). He’s a sure-handed option, but lacks the explosion and vision to be a true difference maker.

Williams is the only Seahawk to return a punt this season. The rookie undrafted free agent out of Tennessee has returned 15 punts for 111 yards. The Seahawks must assess all options, including available free agents and players on their practice squad.

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Seahawks waive WR/KR Laviska Shenault Jr. after disastrous performance

Seahawks waive WR/KR Laviska Shenault Jr. after disastrous performance

The tenure of wide receiver/kick returner Laviska Shenault Jr. in Seattle is officially over. On Monday, the Seahawks waived their utility man after a truly disastrous performance against the New York Jets that easily could have cost the team a much-needed win.

We at Seahawks Wire hammered Shenault for his outing in Week 13, but there is no such thing overstating how poor it was. After the other (struggling) return man Dee Williams fumbled the ball on a kick off, Shenault muffed a kick of his own. He was able to recover it, but it set the Seahawks up at their own 12 yard line… much deeper in their own territory than they needed to be. Fortunately for Shenault, Seattle was able to find the end zone that drive.

Immediately after New York scored on a 99-yard kick off, Shenault once again had a chance to redeem himself. Instead, he muffed the return again, and this time the ball was recovered by the Jets at Seattle’s 38 yard line. The Seahawks were down 21-7 at this point and New York had all the momentum. The Jets were in prime position to make it a 28-7 game, effectively putting it out of reach for Seattle this early on. Once again, fortune bailed out Shenault when Leonard Williams intercepted Aaron Rodgers and returned it 92-yards for a touchdown – the longest by a defensive linemen in NFL history.

It seems that was the end of the line for Shenault, as the team won’t allow him to place them in another opportunity where they would need a potentially history-making play to save the day. Shenault ends his Seattle career with 459 return yards and a 97-yard return touchdown. He also had two fumbles as well.

The Seahawks also had to make a roster decision anyways. Top pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu and right tackle Stone Forsythe are back from injured reserve, and head coach Mike Macdonald hinted Nwosu’s return could be “sooner than later.” Should that be the case (especially if “sooner” means Week 14 against the Cardinals) a spot on the active 53-man roster is now open for him.

Seattle’s special teams have been nothing short of a terrible liability all season long, and Shenault has been a key contributor in the mess. As for his running mate, the aforementioned Dee Williams, the writing is on the wall that this staff will no longer tolerate self-inflicted wounds of his nature.

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Seahawks should have return specialists available vs. Cardinals

Seahawks should have return specialists available vs. Cardinals

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical divisional game versus the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. There are legitimate availability questions surrounding both return specialists, Dee Williams and Laviska Shenault Jr. Thankfully, head coach Mike Macdonald recently said that both playmakers could be available on Sunday. Williams and Shenault Jr. are considered day to day.

Williams exited Sunday’s Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with an ankle injury. Seattle’s medical team swiftly ruled Williams out. That’s typically a bad sign, but the former University of Tennessee standout appears to have avoided a major setback.

Shenault is nursing an oblique injury. He did not return any kickoffs against the 49ers. Third-string running back Kenny McIntosh handled kickoff duties, returning one attempt for 15 yards. The Seahawks also didn’t return any punts in Week 11.

Shenault has returned 14 kicks this campaign for 449 yards. He’s averaging an explosive 32.1 yards per return, including a 97-yard touchdown. Shenault is among the best kickoff returners in the league.

Williams has returned 13 punts this season for 96 yards. He’s been sure-handed, averaging 7.4 yards per punt return. Williams has called 16 fair catches.

The Seahawks would prefer to have both return specialists available versus the Cardinals. Shenault and Williams are potential game changers. Macdonald will discuss their game-day designations on Friday.

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Officials, review botch call on fumbled punt in 49ers’ win over Seahawks

A call on a punt return was botched because the NFL command center did not have Amazon’s enhanced replay

The punt was slightly confusing because Chris Conley was blocked into the Seattle return man, Dee Williams.

What seemed obvious to the naked eye and anyone watching the San Francisco 49ers’ 36-24 win over the Seahawks on Thursday was that the punt had been touched by Seattle’s return man and was recovered by the 49ers.

The on-field officials picked up the flag and said Conley had been blocked into the returner, Williams.

That led to another flag, the red challenge one thrown by Kyle Shanahan.

For sure, the review booth would make the correct call and give the football to the 49ers.

It didn’t happen as the ref said the call stood.

Later on during the game, Terry McAulay on the Amazon broadcast said he spoke to Walt Anderson in the command center. Anderson told McAulay the command center only had the live feed to review and not the enhanced version of the play that showed the football touching Williams before a clear recovery by the 49ers.

Adding insult to misery, the 49ers were also charged for a timeout because the play stood upon review.