Dan Campbell: We 'Need' Jameson Williams Practicing
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams spent a portion of the team's first week of training camp on the sidelines.
Dealing with a leg injury, the Alabama product was forced to miss time.
Veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who spoke highly of Williams Saturday, was dealing with an injury that held him out multiple days as well.
Missing time allowed the defensive back to emphasize mental reps while he was inactive. For Williams, his recent absence presented a chance to do the same.
Though not as effective for development as the physical alternative, mental reps are a great way for players to remain engaged and train their mind to make critical decisions on the field.
"It's important," said coach Dan Campbell. "We need him out there, he needs the reps, he needs the mental reps. But there again, he's out there in the afternoon walk-throughs going through those things. But during the morning practice and, that's part of that time, get him running, get him moving."
Williams missed most of last season while rehabbing an injury suffered in college. The young wideout became very accustomed to observing from the sidelines and taking mental reps while working to get back onto the field.
The Alabama product has been working with the team in spite of the injury. Staying engaged during practice is an important part of the recovery process, as he hopes to not miss a beat when he gets back onto the field.
"So yeah, he's a young player and hasn't played," the coach explained. "We do need him out there and the clock's ticking every day. That's why I said he'd be out there today. I think we're pretty close to getting him back."
Gardner-Johnson explained the value of mental reps on Saturday, describing how impactful it can be to receive the alternative to physical snaps on the field.
Campbell also discussed the impact of the safety's absence and how mental reps can aid in an injured player's recovery.
"He's staying in it mentally," the coach said of the safety. "You want all your players out there for all the reps, because to be able to get it mentally and physically as well, that's the best way to go through it. But he's engaged, he's in it, I don't feel like it's something where we're in deep trouble, man. ... He's played some football and he's in it, he's engaged."
The safety also called his teammate one of the best receivers in the NFL, an encouraging sign for those who hope to see Williams' potential at full speed once he returns in Week 7.
