Detroit Lions wide receiver Tyrell Williams and running back D’Andre Swift have one thing in common this training camp. And that’s both have dealt with groin injuries––something that’s hindering Williams currently. Despite that, the Lions expect him to be ready for Week 1 vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field.
“He’s got a little bit of a groin [injury] right now,” Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Wednesday. “And so we’re just being smart with him. So he’ll be down this week, but he’ll be ok.”
“He ought to be back next week, ready to go.”
Williams last saw action during the Lions’ preseason opener to the Bills. He caught two passes for 30 yards.
In March, the Lions signed Tyrell Williams to a one-year deal at a base salary of $4.7 million. With Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones leaving the team this past offseason, the Lions view Williams as a potential No.1 wideout. However, Dan Campbell told reporters that there isn’t a lock yet for any player at the position.
“I think that room right now is still up for grabs,” Campbell said on Tuesday. “I think there is a heavy competition going on in that room right now.”
With Jared Goff in town as the quarterback, the Lions will need a dynamic wideout to make his two (or one) year trial as the starter to work. Quintez Cephus is another wideout the Lions are hoping will take a leap this season, turning himself into a No. 1 or 2 option. Newly-signed Kalif Raymond and rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown have showcased flashes of their talent in short-yardage situations. As a deep threat, however, the verdict is still out. The expectation is the Lions will use Raymond how they currently are, in addition to his special teams’ duties as a returner.
The Lions always expect D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson to be ready for Week 1, as they were nursing groin and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Follow Kory Woods on Twitter at KoryEWoods.