Mike

Williams

Williams succumbed to injuries he sustained while working at a construction site last week, according to his agent. A fourth round pick by the Bucs in 2010, Williams played in 63 career games over five NFL seasons. He played in Tampa for four years before a final season in Buffalo. Williams tallied 223 receptions for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Williams, 36, who also played for the Bills and Chiefs, was reportedly struck in the head by a steel beam while working a construction site in Tampa. Officials at a nearby hospital said Williams experienced “swelling on his brain and swelling on his spinal cord that was ruptured.” The former Syracuse wideout was reportedly responsive in the hospital. We’ll update the situation as it unfolds.

If there is any good news it’s that he was targeted nine times, and his fumble came as the result of an unavoidable hit from Dashon Goldshon. He was mugged in the end zone on one of his targets, but also ran a couple of bad routes and couldn’t make tough catches. It’s tempting to simply say the game got away from the Bucs, but the pattern of poor play for both Williams and Josh Freeman is discouraging.

Williams admitted as much after the game. “Basically I want to help my team win,” he said. “If it’s blocking more, catching short passes. Whatever I can do to help my team win more is what I’m going to do.” His nine targets were his most since he drew 10 looks in Week 1, but the total was misleading for fantasy purposes since he had very little opportunity to do anything after the catch. Yet to go over five catches or 63 yards in any game this season, Williams is looking like a stronger PPR than standard league play for the time being.

Williams’ work ethic and physical strength remain concerns after a disappointing season. The feeling is that both Williams and Arrelious Benn are No. 2 receivers, as Benn’s speed would be wasted in the slot. If that’s the sentiment in Tampa, free agent Mario Manningham would be more of the same as opposed to a solution.

Jackson will earn $26 million over the first two years and $36 million over the next three, topping Santonio Holmes’ $24 million guaranteed from last year. The Bucs jumped in feet-first, causing V-Jax’s other suitors to fall by the wayside. Jackson will immediately slot in as the No. 1 receiver in Tampa, sending Mike Williams to No. 2 and Arrelious Benn to a situational role. Expect Jackson’s fantasy stock to decline with a quarterback downgrade and coach Greg Schiano’s traditionally run-heavy offensive attack.

This confirms that Williams’ thigh issue is not a real concern. He should be fine to play against a Texans’ secondary that currently ranks second in the league against the pass.

The injury is not known to be serious. Williams is coming off a six-catch, 46-yard game against the Saints. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams played only 43-of-67 snaps, a season-low snap percentage for him, possibly because of the injury. The Bucs’ beat writers have said little about it. We’ll be concerned about Williams’ Week 10 status if he’s out again on Thursday.

After going for 93 yards against the Panthers earlier this season, Williams struggled to get separation when matched up with Chris Gamble and was seldom targeted by Josh Freeman in the first half. He has now been held to under 40 yards and four catches over the last three games.

Per Pro Football Focus, Williams ranks second behind only Brandon Marshall with six dropped passes this season. Williams did have his best game of the year before the Bucs’ Week 8 bye. He’s Rotoworld’s No. 21 receiver for Week 9.