Brandon

Williams

Williams, 33, a longtime run stuffer for the Ravens, has been unsigned since playing 13 games for Baltimore in 2021. Williams will likely be a rotational player on the Kansas City defensive line. He’ll reunite with Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Williams’ position coach for five seasons with the Ravens. Pro Football Focus grades the Chiefs as the league’s 17th best rush defense through Week 12.

Nose tackle Brandon Williams and outside linebacker Justin Houston were among the notable names from Baltimore’s front seven that missed practice Wednesday. Safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Tavon Young were also sidelined. That’s four defensive starters sidelined to start the week but at least a few of them should resume practicing by Friday. Luckily for Baltimore, even if they are missing some defensemen for Week 3, they should be able to cobble together a starting unit that can keep Jared Goff and the Lions in check.

As will fellow DL Brandon Williams (ankle, COVID 19). Campbell came off the COVID list three days ago but has been battling a calf issue for most of the past month. He hasn’t played since Week 9. They are two big reinforcements for the Ravens up front against an injury-decimated Cowboys line trying to protect Andy Dalton.

Williams came off the COVID-19 list one week ago but was still questionable for Tuesday night’s game because of his ankle. An top-shelf run stopper, Williams contributes 30-35 weekly snaps up front.

Williams was activated from the COVID-19 list on Tuesday, but his ankle isn’t healthy yet. He hasn’t practiced since November 15 and remains week to week. The Ravens run defense takes a hit with Williams and others sidelined. Baltimore’s flight to Pittsburgh is set to take off on Tuesday ahead of the very rare Wednesday Day Football game.

QB Trace McSorley, CB Tavon Young and DB Khalil Dorsey have also been activated. Also dealing with an ankle issue, run-stopper Williams has not practiced since Nov. 15. If he’s active, he probably won’t see too many Week 12 snaps on Wednesday against the Steelers. Williams was averaging 35-40 before going down.

While neither player managing to play through a doubtful tag is surprising, it’s a blow to the Ravens defense regardless. Campbell leads the team with four sacks while Williams has a tackle for loss and a QB Hit on the year. The Titans get a weakened Baltimore defensive line which could bode well for Derrick Henry. The Big Dog hasn’t had a 20-point fantasy day since Week 6 but does have two games over 100 rushing yards since then. In a spot that is now better on paper, Henry remains a top-five running back for fantasy purposes.

Multiple reports suggest Williams was in close contact with someone who has coronavirus, but he hasn’t tested positive. Either way, he’ll require multiple days of negative tests to be active again. The Ravens run defense takes a slight hit with Williams out of the lineup. As of now, the Eagles and Ravens Week 6 game is on track to play.

Williams was due $19 million over the next two years. He’s now guaranteed $8.25 million, with a base value of $15.75 million. The move creates $3 million in cap space for Baltimore.

Williams was a late add to Baltimore’s injury report this week, though his knee issue won’t keep him from suiting up Sunday against Cleveland. Known as one of the league’s premier run-pluggers (he currently holds PFF’s No. 20 run-stopping grade among defensive tackles), Williams will do his best to quiet Browns workhorse Nick Chubb, who ranks seventh in rushing yards with 233.