Ironically, running back Javonte Williams’ first game back is against the same team he was playing when suffered a devastating injury. Or maybe it’s fate.
The Broncos’ season opener against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon will mark the first time Williams has played in a regular-season game in almost a year. His last memory of meaningful football was getting carted off the field in Las Vegas after tearing his ACL in the third quarter last October.
The months after featured a remarkable recovery process, which led to Williams being on the practice field at the start of OTAs, participating in training camp and playing in Denver’s preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Williams might be on a pitch count against the Raiders, but the moment he steps on the grass at Empower Field at Mile High will be a reward for his journey back from a devastating injury.
“When I got here for OTAs, he was already dang near ready to go,” running back Samaje Perine said. “That just speaks volumes about the work he put in this offseason to be that far along in OTAs.”
Williams has impatiently waited for this moment all summer. Now that Week 1 is here, he’s excited and said he feels like the player who rushed for 903 yards as a rookie.
Broncos coach Sean Payton said Williams is “healthy and strong.” He expects the third-year running back to play a big role Sunday, though he didn’t specify the number of snaps.
“I don’t know how many plays I’m going to get, but I’m gonna make it count,” Williams said.
Right guard Quinn Meinerz, who was part of the same 2021 draft class as Williams, is ready to share the field with his teammate. He thought the team did a good job at easing Williams back into the offense.
“It’s impressive any time someone goes through such an intense injury like an ACL because the fight is so long,” Meinerz said. “You’re on a grind for eight months trying to get back to what you were doing before.”
Payton wants to set the tone with the run game. The return of Williams along with Perine and rookie Jaleel McLaughlin will allow Denver’s first-year coach to do so. Williams has been getting comfortable with the playbook and being used as a receiver out of the backfield — a requirement for running backs in Payton’s offense.
Williams caught 43 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. In the loss to the 49ers last month, he was targeted three times on the opening drive.
It’s safe to assume he will get a handful of pass-catching opportunities against the Raiders.
“He’s an extremely hard worker, and it’s great to see him back. …I think he’s going to be ready to roll on Sunday,” Perine said.
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