Tag: Dexter Williams

The Longest Runs in the History of Notre Dame Football

What is your favorite run in the long history of Notre Dame football?

Notre Dame has been playing football since 1887 and have had plenty of talented running backs and quarterbacks carry the ball in that time.  Since records began being kept, Notre Dame has had seven different players pull off a run of 90 yards or longer.

Oddly enough, five of those seven 90-plus yard runs have come in the last seven years.

So who holds the record for the longest runs in Notre Dame history?  Check out the answer to that question below and see the actual highlights of a few of the runs:

Seahawks worked out 2 free agent running backs Tuesday

With so many question marks hanging over this position, yesterday Seattle worked out two free agent running backs.

The Seahawks are down a few men at running back heading into Week 7. Starter Chris Carson is on injured reserve with a “sensitive” neck issue and backup Alex Collins got banged up against the Steelers and his status against the Saints is unknown at this time. Rashaad Penny appears to be ready to come off IR this week, but we can hardly bank on that given his history.

With so many question marks hanging over this position, yesterday Seattle worked out two free agent running backs.

B.J. Emmons: 5-foot-11, 220 pounds

In college, Emmons played one season at Alabama followed by two at Florida Atlantic, where he posted seven rushing touchdowns and averaged four yards per carry on 88 attempts. He only caught seven passes total, though. Injuries have been a problem for Emmons, who spent some of this past offseason with the Seahawks.

Dexter Williams: 5-foot-11, 212 pounds

Williams played his college ball at Notre Dame. He only saw modest touches until his senior season in 2018, when he broke out for 12 touchdowns and 995 yards on 158 carries (6.3 YPA). The Packers picked him in the sixth round of the next NFL draft, but he only played seven games and 34 offensive snaps before he was waived. He started this season on the Giants’ practice squad.

If either one does get signed, they are likely headed to the practice squad. At the moment, Josh Johnson is the only RB there. Depending on what happens with Penny and Collins he might be elevated for the Saints game.

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Giants sign Jonotthan Harrison, Foster Sarell to practice squad

The New York Giants have signed two offensive linemen — Jonotthan Harrison and Foster Sarell — to their practice squad.

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Following a flurry of transactions on Tuesday, the New York Giants were left with one open spot on their practice squad.

Ahead of Wednesday’s practice, they filled it. And then some.

The Giants have signed two offensive linemen to the unit — Jonotthan Harrison and Foster Sarell. In order to create space for both signings, the team also released running back Dexter Williams.

Sarell, once considered the nation’s top offensive tackle prospect, went undrafted out of Stanford back in April. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens and spent the summer there before being released in August. He briefly returned last week, signing to their practice squad before again being released.

The 6-foot-6, 322-pound Sarell has not appeared in an NFL game.

Harrison, of course, is a familiar name to Giants fans. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound interior lineman spent the summer in East Rutherford and was considered a surprising cut in April.

The 30-year-old Harrison not only provides the Giants some veteran experience, but he’s also familiar with their offensive system and has taken snaps with many of their current players. It may not be long before he finds his way onto the active roster.

The Giants still have one open spot on their 53-man roster after offensive lineman Nick Gates (leg) was sent to injured reserve.

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Packers cut former Notre Dame star running back

Who should take a flier on Dex?

Former Notre Dame star running back Dexter Williams is among the camp casualties around the NFL this morning as he’s been cut by the Green Bay Packers.

Williams played in seven games over the past two seasons for the Packers, carrying the ball seven times for 19 yards.

Williams played at Notre Dame from 2015-2018.  Williams had a monster season in 2018 for the Irish as he totaled 1128 scrimmage yards and scored 13 touchdowns in just nine games.

All the best to very key star from Notre Dame’s 2018 team that went 12-0 in the regular season before being drafted 194th overall by Green Bay in the spring of 2019.

For more on the Green Bay Packers be sure to check out all the work of our colleagues over at Packers Wire.

Related:

Packers activate former Notre Dame star running back

Packers releasing running back Dexter Williams

The Packers are making third-year running back Dexter Williams a part of the team’s cuts to 53 players.

The emergence of seventh-round pick Kylin Hill as the Green Bay Packers’ third running back led to the release of a recent draft pick on Tuesday.

According to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the Packers will release running back Dexter Williams, a sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft.

Williams carried 17 times for 82 yards during the preseason. He produced two runs over 10 yards but did have a third-down drop in the passing game. On kickoff returns, Williams had two returns gaining 53 yards, including a 32-yard return.

Hill, one of the stars of the Packers’ preseason, is expected to win the job as the third running back behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.

Running backs coach Ben Sirmans said Williams looked drastically improved during his third summer in Green Bay.

There’s still a chance Williams could return to the Packers on the practice squad if he clears waivers, although it’s not guaranteed he would want to be the fourth running back behind three talented players on the 53-man roster. A better opportunity might be available elsewhere.

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Packers place RB Dexter Williams on injured reserve

A knee injury forced the Packers to place practice squad RB Dexter Williams on injured reserve.

A knee injury will keep Green Bay Packers running back Dexter Williams out indefinitely.

The Packers placed Williams on injured reserve on Wednesday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Williams suffered a sprained MCL and will miss at least three weeks. Players on injured reserve must miss at least three games.

Williams injured his knee during the Packers’ 34-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday. Elevated from the practice squad, Williams carried two times for eight yards before exiting with the injury.

A sixth-round pick in 2019, Williams reverted back to the practice squad following the win.

He will join the injured reserve designated for practice squad players. With a new opening, the Packers added running back Mike Weber to the practice squad.

The Packers activated running back Jamaal Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

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Packers RB Dexter Williams suffers MCL sprain vs. 49ers

Packer RB Dexter Williams will be out three games with an MCL sprain, per NFL Network.

The Green Bay Packers will be without practice squad running back Dexter Williams for at least three weeks.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Williams sprained his MCL against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night and is expected to miss three weeks or more.

Called up from the practice squad for Week 9, Williams rushed two times for eight yards before exiting the game. He played nine total snaps.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the plan was for Williams to play more against the 49ers, especially with the Packers in tough shape at running back.

Williams, a sixth-round pick in 2019, has played in six career games, rushing seven times for 19 yards.

Per new league rules this season, Williams reverted back to the practice squad following Thursday night’s win. He has been elevated the maximum two times already this season.

If the Packers place Williams on injured reserve, they’ll have an opportunity to add a new player to the practice squad.

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Big opportunity awaits Packers RB Dexter Williams on Thursday Night Football

No one has a bigger opportunity for the Packers on TNF than RB Dexter Williams.

Difficult situations create unique opportunities, and arguably no player has a better opportunity on Thursday night than Green Bay Packers running back Dexter Williams.

Aaron Jones might not play against the San Francisco 49ers, and even if he does, he might only be a situational player. Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon are on the COVID-19 reserve list and won’t play.

Dexter Williams, a sixth-round pick in 2019 and a practice squad player to start his second season, could easily be the lead back for the Packers on Thursday night, especially if coach Matt LaFleur wants to keep Tyler Ervin in a more specialized role as the fly-motion and gadget receiver player.

Dexter Williams has just five career carries in the NFL, but the Packers liked him coming out of Notre Dame and he has an attractive blend of size and explosiveness.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the young running back is “more settled” and “more confident” in his second season.

“I love Dex,” Rodgers said, via the team’s official site. “Dex has a really good attitude. He’s done a nice job of growing up in the offense and feeling more comfortable with the checks and his responsibilities in pass blocking and route running.”

This is the opportunity for Dexter Williams to prove he can be more than a depth player within LaFleur’s scheme, which should be perfect for a one-cut runner with some burst like the former Notre Dame star.

Kyle Shanahan’s offense in San Francisco has turned a bunch of explosive runners into productive players. It’s possible LaFleur’s could do the same.

The key, as Rodgers noted, will be Dexter Williams’ ability in pass protection and as a receiver. Both areas put him in LaFleur’s doghouse last season. He needs improvements across the board before he can even think about being a starting-level running back in the NFL, but now is the perfect time to show he’s made meaningful progress.

And his performance on Thursday night could have future consequences.

The Packers won’t make sweeping personnel decisions based on one game, but if Dexter Williams can show GM Brian Gutekunst he’s a player and part of the team’s future at running back, it might make decisions easier at the position this offseason when the Packers have to decide on the futures of both Jones and Jamaal Williams.

The Packers protected Dexter Williams on the practice squad this week. He is expected to be elevated – either by promotion to the active roster or through a one-week elevation – before Thursday night’s kickoff.

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Packers RBs might be Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams vs. 49ers

The Packers could be without Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon on Thursday night against the 49ers.

With A.J. Dillon on the COVID-19 reserve list, Jamaal Williams out due to a high-risk designation and Aaron Jones still battling a calf injury, the Green Bay Packers may have to rely on the very bottom of the running back depth chart on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, “pessimism” exists about Jones’ ability to play Thursday night, leaving Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams as the team’s two remaining running backs.

Dillon and Jamaal Williams won’t play after Dillon tested positive for COVID-19 and Jamaal Williams was deemed a high-risk contact based on contact tracing. Jones has missed two straight games after injuring his calf in practice on Oct. 22.

If Jones can’t go, the Packers would have only just running backs left.

Ervin has been used primarily as a receiver and returner and as the offense’s go-to jet-motion option, but he did play running back at San Jose State and wouldn’t be in over his head if he needed to play a significant role there on Thursday night.

Dexter Williams, who is currently on the practice squad, has played in five career games since entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick in 2019. He has five career carries for 11 yards. Elevated from the practice squad after Jones’ injury in Week 7, Dexter Williams didn’t receive a carry against the Houston Texans but did miss a block on a blocked punt.

The Packers also have fullback/tight end John Lovett, who could play snaps in the backfield in certain formations.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Packers wouldn’t be able to sign a running back and have him available in time before Thursday night.

Although the Packers didn’t practice on Monday, Jones was estimated as a limited participant.

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Packers elevate RB Dexter Williams, S Henry Black from practice squad

The Packers elevated a RB and S from the practice squad for Sunday’s meeting with the Houston Texans.

With injuries at both running back and safety, the Green Bay Packers brought up a player at both positions from the practice squad for Sunday’s showdown with the Houston Texans.

The team elevated running back Dexter Williams and safety Henry Black to the active roster.

This season, teams can elevate two players from the practice squad to the gameday roster. After the game, the players revert back to the practice squad without having to go through waivers. Each practice squad player can be elevated twice.

Sunday’s elevation will be the first for both Wiliams and Black.

Williams, a sixth-round pick in 2019, will provide extra depth at running back with Tyler Ervin out and Aaron Jones’ status unknown for Sunday. The Packers may decide to hold out Jones, who is dealing with a calf injury suffered at practice on Thursday.

As a rookie, Williams played in four games, carrying five times for 11 yards. He has been on the Packers’ practice squad all season. On Sunday, Williams will likely be the No. 3 running back behind Jamaal Williams and rookie A.J. Dillon.

Black, an undrafted free agent, adds help at safety. The Packers will be without starter Darnell Savage against the Texans.

The team also signed defensive lineman Billy Winn and offensive lineman Ben Braden from the practice squad and activated linebacker Kamal Martin from injured reserve on Saturday.

The Packers will announce gameday inactives 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday.

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