After 1st loss, Raiders host former star Khalil Mack, Bears
The Las Vegas Raiders look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host their former star Khalil Mack and the Chicago BearsOCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAMIEN WILLIAMS
43 YDS •
11 ATT •
0 TD
43 YDS
11 ATT
0 TD
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 5
The Carolina Panthers’ defense started the season hot, but were a little less scary last week against Dak Prescott and the Dallas CowboysOCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kevin Fishbain: Bears running back Damien Williams was a full... - The Athletic Bears running back Damien Williams was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, setting him up to be the starter on Sunday in Las Vegas....
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Puts in full practice Williams (quadriceps) practiced in full Wednesday.
Impact In the same contest in which No. 1 running back David Montgomery sprained his knee this past Sunday, Williams emerged with a bruised thigh, but it didn't hinder his ability to handle every drill to begin Week 5 prep. With Montgomery slated to be sidelined up to 4-to-5 weeks, Williams is in the driver's seat for plenty of touches for the foreseeable future. On the season, Williams has averaged 4.6 yards on his 16 carries, hauled in eight of 10 passes for 41 yards, and scored one rushing touchdown in four outings. Williams' primary competition for snaps will be rookie sixth-rounder Khalil Herbert.
OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fantasy football waiver wire: Chicago Bears turn to veteran RB Damien Williams RB David Montgomery could miss several weeks, so Damien Williams looks to step up in Chicago; rookie QB Trey Lance set to take over for 49er...
OCTOBER 6, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Fantasy Waiver Wire: FAAB Report for Week 5 pickups, free agents RBs Kenny Gainwell and Damien Williams, WRs Darnell Mooney and Curtis Samuel, QB Trey Lance, and TE Dawson Knox will be among Week 5's top w...
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 5 Everyone is going to be blowing their waiver priority or FAAB on Trey Lance and Damien Williams this week. And for good reason, Williams and...
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Fantasy Football live updates: Week 5 waiver wire, adds, drops, sleepers, rankings and more With Week 4 now behind us, it's time to look ahead to our claims and bids on the Week 5 waiver wire — the last week without byes! First and...
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire: pickups start with Damien Williams, Darnell Mooney and more Jake Ciely highlights the best of the Week 5 waiver wire, with Chicago's Damien Williams shaping up as a potential top prize.
OCTOBER 5, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups 2021: Fantasy Football Players You Need to Add It's never to late to turn your fantasy season around. Making savvy additions on the waiver wire is one of the best ways to do just that. He...
OCTOBER 4, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Montgomery's knee injury means uncertainty for Bears offense
The Chicago Bears' offense started to click for the first time this season when David Montgomery's 106 rushing yards opened up the way for the downfield passing of Justin Fields to...OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dealing with thigh bruise Williams suffered a thigh bruise during Sunday's win over the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact The Bears appear to believe Williams' injury is minor and won't impede his ability to suit up Week 5 against the Raiders, but with David Montgomery (knee) also dealing with an injury, the team's backfield picture is suddenly muddy. Montgomery is still undergoing medical evaluations, and early reports are optimistic he's avoided a torn ACL, but the severity of his injury isn't yet clear. Behind Williams and Montgomery stands only rookie Khalil Herbert, while Tarik Cohen (knee) will need to remain on the PUP list until at least Week 7.
OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Best Fantasy Week 5 Waiver Pickups: Backups Damien Williams, Trey Lance set to take over after David Montgomery, Jimmy Garoppolo injuries Savvy fantasy football owners have been stashing
OCTOBER 4, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Finds end zone Williams rushed eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 15 yards in the Bears' 24-14 win over the Lions on Sunday.
Impact With David Montgomery leaving the game with a knee injury, Williams picked up right where his teammate left off by shredding the Detroit defense. Should Montgomery be forced to miss time, Williams may be used in a three-down role, giving him significant fantasy value despite the Bears having a weak offensive line.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
David Montgomery Injury Update Could Boost Damien Williams Fantasy Outlook Fantasy managers looking for a bounce-back performance from David Montgomery were rewarded in Week 4. He delivered with 23 carries for 106 y...
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Damien Williams won't be denied, rushes for 4-yard score Bears RB Damien Williams gets into the end zone from 4 yards out for the Bears' third rushing touchdown of the game.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM
New Bears RB Damien Williams Take a look at new Bears RB Damien Williams in action. Williams has rushed for 1,231 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 138 passes for 1,106...
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM
Little action in loss Williams logged seven snaps on offense and did not record a single rushing attempt or target in Sunday's loss to the Browns.
Impact Williams was a non-factor in a Bears offense that was dominated by Cleveland's defense Sunday. With teammate David Montgomery carrying the load in the backfield, Williams will likely be hard-pressed to see enough opportunities to make him viable for fantasy purposes. The 29-year-old's best path to fantasy relevance would present itself if Montgomery was ever forced to miss time. Williams and the Bears get a much more favorable matchup against the Lions in Week 4.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Receives four touches Williams rushed twice for six yards and caught two passes for negative-two yards in the Bears' 20-17 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Impact Even though David Montgomery ran for just 3.1 yards per carry on 20 attempts, Williams was only used a few times to give the starter a rest. After he saw 10 touches in the season opener, Williams' drop in usage may diminish hopes for fantasy managers that he would have a substantial role in the offense, though his usage could change on a weekly basis.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 2
Despite Aaron Rodgers’ poor game in Week 1, the simulations are high on him to post a top-12 week against the Detroit Lions, who allowed Jimmy Garoppolo to throw for 314 yards on j...SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Targeted five times Williams rushed six times for 12 yards and caught four passes for 28 yards in the Bears' 34-14 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
Impact Williams played 43 percent of the snaps, though he saw a higher concentration of those when the game was out of hand. However, he was mixed in with David Montgomery while the game was in question, and he appears to be the clear No. 2 back who will get regular playing time to keep Montgomery fresh. With solid receiving ability, Williams offers potential flex value in fantasy leagues that award a point per reception.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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
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
