Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams told reporters that he feels healthy for the first time since 2022 when he suffered a devastating knee injury.
Williams tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL as a member of the Denver Broncos 3 years ago. The injury limited him to just 47 rushing attempts in 2022, and though he returned to the field in 2023, the former Tar Heel struggled to regain his pre-injury form over the following two NFL campaigns.
“I feel completely like myself” Williams said, per the team website. “I probably can get more flexible and things like that, but as far as healing up, that I feel like is done.”
After averaging 4.4 yards per carry as a rookie, Williams lacked a second gear in 2023 rushing for 774 yards on 217 attempts (3.6 YPC), then fell victim to Denver’s running back by committee approach last year, rushing 139 times for 513 yards (3.7 YPC).
Denver opted to move in another direction, selecting UCF running back RJ Harvey in the 2nd round, 60th overall in this year’s NFL Draft. Williams in turn signed on with the Dallas Cowboys via a 1 year, $3M contract, and appears poised to contend for lead back duties in the Lone Star State this season.
The 25 year old will join a running back room that includes Miles Sanders, Deuce Vaughn, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah. Dallas had long hung their hats on solid offensive line play, and an above average rushing game. However with multiple retirements and free agency losses, both their backfield and O-Line have taken a significant step back in recent years.
Dallas had the 6th worst rushing game in the NFL in terms of total yards in 2024, with an anemic 1,705 yards on the ground. By comparison, the league leading Baltimore Ravens and even their division rival Philadelphia Eagles had nearly twice that many yards at 3,189 and 3,048 yards apiece.
Williams and the rest of the Cowboys running backs will look to change that narrative this season, as the team enters the year with a revamped offence led by offseason acquisitions such as WR George Pickens, and rookie guard Tyler Booker.
Dallas opens their season in a prime time game against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on September 4th.
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