Jacquian

Williams

The Giants’ primary nickel linebacker expects be active for Super Bowl XLVI. “It’s better,” Williams said. “It is a day-to-day thing. But I will be there (on Sunday).”

The extent of Williams’ injury is unclear, but he is one of New York’s primary nickel linebackers alongside SLB Michael Boley. Williams’ absence from the Super Bowl would be worrisome because the Giants will likely be in constant nickel alignments against the Patriots. We’ll have an update next week.

This explains why he showed up in a walking boot on Friday. Williams has more than a week to heal up and has promised to play in Super Bowl XLVI.

“It’s nothing serious,” Williams said. “I’ll be there. I’ll be ready for the game.” A staple of the Giants’ nickel packages, Williams is currently sporting a protective boot, but will be active for the Super Bowl barring a setback.

You don’t want to be without your fastest linebacker when Robert Griffin III is coming to town. Williams will likely be replaced in sub packages by Keith Rivers.

Williams’ injury is of the PCL variety, and cost him six games last season. “Just kind of taking my time with it,” Williams said. “It is a day to day thing. It is getting better. Definitely better than it was. That’s all.” Williams will compete with Spencer Paysinger to replace Michael Boley at weak-side linebacker.

Williams has been sidelined since Week 6 with a sprained PCL. He played a hybrid linebacker-safety role for the Giants before the injury and is expected to have the same responsibilities when he returns. Williams averaged just 25 snaps in his six games this season. With similar usage likely, he’s well off the IDP radar.

Williams has spent the past two seasons as a nickel ‘backer and the Giants seem to believe he’s ready for a promotion. The 24-year-old finished 2012 with 30 tackles and one sack in ten games, starting three. Should Williams win the weak-side linebacker job out of camp, he’ll be on IDP radars as an LB3/4.

This duo showed enough over the final three games of the season to let the Giants feel comfortable cutting Michael Boley Tuesday. It’s a position battle for IDP owners to watch as Boley was able to average 6.2 tackles per game during his four-year run manning the weak side of Giants’ 4-3 scheme.

The Rams have been in contact with his agent. Williams tied a career-high with 78 tackles last season, playing in nine games. If the Rams cut Jo-Lonn Dunbar as they’re expected to, Williams would have a chance to start at strong-side linebacker. He mostly played on the weak side when he was with New York.