The Green Bay Packers may as well try every tool in the toolbox to energize their painfully anemic run game. A struggling offensive line is a big part of the problem, but let's face it, these Packers backs probably wouldn't do much with an All-Pro crew up front.
Now that wide receiver Savion Williams is off injured reserve and back in practice, he could offer an unconventional boost whenever he returns to play.
Obviously, Williams wouldn't be running halfback dives or doing much between the tackles, but he has experience as a ball-carrier, both last season in Green Bay and in college at TCU. The current corps of Kaleb Johnson, MarShawn Lloyd, and the now-injured Chris Brooks are churning their wheels in the mud.
At this point, any trick, gimmick, or silly spell is worth trying. The Packers don't have much to lose by turning to Williams for a spark.
Sprinkling in Savion Williams could give Packers a badly needed boost
The Packers tried to get Williams involved last season. He actually had more touches running the ball than he did as a receiver. The results weren't exactly gobsmacking: 11 carries for 37 yards, behind a better offensive line. Why bother? Heck, they need him at receiver, too.
Well, the team is running out of options. Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list. Lloyd's explosive power has vanished. Johnson can't stop fumbling (and Lloyd has had slippery hands, too). Brooks injured his ankle in Week 4 but, to be honest, he hasn't been anything special.
Williams rushed 51 times for 322 yards and six touchdowns at TCU in 2024. The former high school quarterback won't line up in the wildcat for the Packers, but positioned in the backfield for end-arounds or toss plays, he can supply an explosive element that has been largely nonexistent.
An added bonus behind an iffy offensive line, Williams has the speed to reverse direction if the blocking isn't there. He can make plays in space.
Actually, why not design plays where Williams has the option to cut it back inside if a lane opens up? The Horned Frogs used the 6-foot-4, 222-pound receiver in a variety of ways out of the backfield. In fact, most of his highlight-reel material came when Williams either took the direct snap or lined up like a halfback and picked his way between the tackles.
That might not work so well against NFL-sized defenders chewing through Green Bay's offensive line, but honestly, what's to lose by mixing in Williams on an outside zone run here or there?
Might as well try something. Lloyd is averaging 2.7 yards per carry. He and Johnson have fumbled a combined four times in the last three games.
It's not like Williams will transform the Packers' rushing attack, but he could give them some extra punch. And they need it.
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