DeAngelo Williams set to return in Week 9?
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has been out since Week 4 with a severe high-ankle sprain, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to suit up this week against the Seattle Seahawks, so Jonathan Stewart will have to shoulder the load against one of the league’s best defense. We’ll see if Stewart is up to the tax, but the quality performance rookie Tre Mason put up last week against Seattle has to give the Panthers some sort of confidence. Their running game has been ravaged, as usual, by injuries, though it’s been more severe this season. Thankfully, Cam Newton has shined as a rusher this year, with plenty of standout performances through the air thrown in.
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According to ESPN NFL Nation’s David Newton, Williams will “most likely” be ready to play in next week’s Thursday Night Football rivalry game against the New Orleans Saints, as he’s a virtual lock to miss this week’s game against the Seahawks. It means that Williams will have missed about a month of time with the ankle injury, which also required a cast.
Williams ran for 106 yards on 25 carries in his two appearances this year, and he’s the team’s most efficient rusher. Getting him back for that Saints game will be key, but the Panthers continue to miss his rushing, which is more consistent than what the even more injury-prone Stewart brings to the table. Stewart arguably has as much talent, but he’s noticeably less efficient.