FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 1
The start-or-sit dilemma is part of managing a fantasy football teamSEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAMIEN WILLIAMS
43 YDS •
11 ATT •
0 TD
43 YDS
11 ATT
0 TD
Does little in preseason finale Williams carried the ball five times for 11 yards in Saturday's preseason win over the Titans.
Impact Getting the start with David Montgomery resting ahead of Week 1, Williams made little impact and got stuffed for no gain on two of his carries, including on a fourth-and-1 from the Titans' 49-yard line. With Tarik Cohen (knee) still on the PUP list and looking iffy for Week 1 against the Rams, Williams appears set as the Bears' No. 2 running back to begin the season, but the downgrade in offensive environment will make it difficult for him to match the efficiency or production he displayed with Kansas City over the last two years.
AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Draws preseason start Williams rushed five times for eight yards while hauling in a two-yard reception in the Bears' 41-15 preseason loss to the Bills on Saturday.
Impact With David Montgomery sitting out, Williams served as Chicago's primary back with the first-team offense. However, with Andy Dalton largely unable to move the offense and the offensive line not creating much space, Williams was unable to get in a groove and was largely ineffective with his chances. Regardless, with Tarik Cohen (knee) still missing time, Williams should have a role as the backup to Montgomery once the season begins, and it's possible he sees work on passing downs.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tyler Matakevich's helmet forces Damien Williams' fumble Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin recovers a forced fumble by linebacker Tyler Matakevich.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • NFL.COM
Impressing in camp Williams has been a weapon as a receiver during training camp, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.
Impact While being used as a receiver, Williams has been able to create space against teammate Roquan Smith, who is one of the best coverage linebackers in the league. With Tarik Cohen (knee) slated to miss at least a few weeks, Williams could be positioned to earn an increased role as a receiving back, and he's already proven to be capable of that after having caught at least 20 passes in each of his six years in the league.
AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Will Damien Williams play a big role in loaded Bears RB room? What does Damien Williams add to the Chicago Bears running back room? We break it down ahead of training camp.
JULY 19, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM
Slated for backup role Williams could be a direct replacement at running back if David Montgomery misses time, Sean Hammond of the Daily Herald reports.
Impact When Montgomery missed a game in 2020, the Bears lacked a reliable replacement, but after averaging 4.5 yards per carry in 2019 before opting out last year, Williams potentially fills that void in the offense. In addition, Williams caught 30 passes in his last year with the Chiefs, so he also could see involvement in the passing game. Unless his projected role is expected to grow, he'll likely be a depth option who could be available on waivers after fantasy drafts have concluded for fantasy managers.
JULY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
New Chicago Bears running back Damien Williams eager to return to NFL after a year away "That’s when you sit at home and really grind. When no one’s watching, that’s when you want to work the hardest. So coming back was really e...
JUNE 14, 2021 • QCTIMES.COM
Damien Williams’ excitement to fit in with the Chicago Bears makes him feel like ‘one of the rookie kids’ after a year away from the NFL because of COVID-19 concerns Damien Williams said most people understood why he opted out of the 2020 season just six months after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV...
JUNE 13, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Will Damien Williams cut into David Montgomery work with Chicago Bears? The Chicago Bears adding not only Damien Williams but also Khalil Herbert at running back this offseason shows that this team is no longer g...
MAY 20, 2021 • BEARGOGGLESON.COM
Chiefs search in NFL draft for more help protecting Mahomes
After the Chiefs were routed by Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl, they began rebuilding a porous offensive line in free agency and now will try to finish off the work in the NFL draftAPRIL 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
How Will the Bears Use New RB Damien Williams? What can running back Damien Williams bring to the Chicago Bears? We break it down as he adds a new dynamic to the backfield.
APRIL 2, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM
Chiefs head into offseason with core intact, plenty of holes
The Chiefs were so confident in their Super Bowl-winning roster from the 2019 season that they did everything they could to bring it back intact, signing quarterback Patrick Mahome...FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Expected back in 2021 Williams, who opted out of the 2020 campaign, is expected to return for the Chiefs and play next season, Charles Goldman of USA Today reports.
Impact Williams and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are both expected to return for Kansas City in 2021 after both opted out of the team's 2020 campaign. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire coming off a solid rookie season, in which he managed 1,100 yards from scrimmage in 13 games, Williams looks likely to be No. 2 on the depth chart in his age-29 campaign, but he certainly boasts the skill set to succeed in a change-of-pace role. With Le'Veon Bell set to hit free agency, Williams' strongest offseason competition likely will come from Darrel Williams, who saw a season-high seven targets in Super Bowl LV.
FEBRUARY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Report: Chiefs RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, RB Damien Williams expected back in 2021 The players who opted out in 2020, will opt back in for the 2021 season according to a new report.
FEBRUARY 7, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Brady, Mahomes prepare for 5th matchup after splitting 1st 4
There was a regular-season shootout and a playoff masterpiece the first season that Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady met on a football fieldJANUARY 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Defending champion Chiefs building dynasty around core group
It was never much of a surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs eventually would sign Patrick Mahomes to the largest contract in NFL historyJANUARY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chiefs aim for quicker starts as they begin title defense
The Kansas City Chiefs have proven that they can overcome just about any deficit in the postseasonJANUARY 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chiefs' locker room mum on Bell's arrival - well, almost
The only member of the Kansas City Chiefs that was available and willing to discuss LeVeon Bell happened to be defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who won’t have much of anythin...OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chiefs sign Le'Veon Bell 2 days after release from Jets
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed running back Le’Veon Bell two days after he was released by the New York JetsOCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Patriots expecting unexpected in latest matchup with Mahomes
In three previous meetings with Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, the Patriots defense has had the most success when it’s been able to force turnovers and get pressure on himSEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Edwards-Helaire looks to build on starring debut for Chiefs
Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire showed the NFL that his skill set translates quite nicely to the sped-up world of pro footballSEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chiefs rookie Edwards-Helaire shines in NFL debut vs Texans
The Kansas City Chiefs raised some eyebrows during the NFL draft when they used their first-round pick on Clyde Edwards-Helaire, adding another potent weapon to their dynamic offen...SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
49ers teammates back Garoppolo after Super Bowl loss
The last time Jimmy Garoppolo was seen on the football field he was missing Emmanuel Sanders on a deep pass for a potential go-ahead score in what turned out to be a painful fourth...SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other
This most unusual NFL season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs facing the Houston Texans before about 17,000 fans at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday...SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
