Williams announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old was released by the Steelers in March but re-signed with the team a month later, though he won't end up taking the field in 2021. Williams spent eight years in Pittsburgh since being selected during the sixth round of the 2013 draft, and he accumulated 479 total tackles and 20.5 sacks in 121 career games. With the eight-year veteran out of the picture for the Steelers, Robert Spillane could take on a starting role among Pittsburgh's linebackers, while Marcus Allen could see a slight increase in playing time in a depth capacity.

The Steelers re-signed Williams on Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams will return to Pittsburgh for a ninth consecutive season. He started in all 14 of his appearances with the team in 2020, racking up 70 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Assuming Williams enters the 2021 campaign as a starter once again, he'll have limited IDP utility.

The Steelers released Williams on Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams played 14 games for the Steelers last season, starting each contest and recording 70 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. His eight-year stint with the Steelers is now over, but the 31-year-old should have options on the open market. The Steelers will save $4 million in salary-cap space by letting Williams go.

Williams recorded one solo tackle in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was on the field for only 28 defensive snaps in Sunday's regular-season finale since the Steelers had clinched a playoff spot and chose to rest some of their starters. Williams missed two of the final four weeks of the season but still finished the regular season with 69 tackles (47 solo), including three sacks, along with two fumble recoveries over 14 games. The 31-year-old should be healthy heading into the playoffs this year and will likely continue to play a starting role for Pittsburgh in 2021.

Williams was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams missed the last two games but will be eligible to play Sunday against the Colts. His return will be a welcome sight for a Steelers defense that has lost both Devin Bush and Robert Spillane to season-ending knee injuries at inside linebacker.

Williams could be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams missed the last two games, but coach Mike Tomlin said he's going to start ramping up his activity this week with the goal of him playing Sunday. If he's good to go, Williams should start at inside linebacker because both Devin Bush (torn ACL) and Robert Spillane (knee) are on injured reserve.

The Steelers placed Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Thursday marked the second time this season that Williams was placed on the list, as he either tested positive for the virus or came into close contact with someone who did. Williams will still have a chance to play in Sunday's game against the Bills, but he'll need to test negative twice 24 hours apart. If he's unable to suit up, Avery Williamson would be in line for an increased role.

The Steelers officially activated Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was activated along with teammates Ben Roethlisberger, Jaylen Samuels and Jerald Hawkins. The veteran linebacker will now be available for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals. He has been on the field for more than 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps across four of the last five games.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Friday that he expects Williams to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

If Williams is indeed able to return to the active roster Saturday, he should be available for Sunday's game against the Bengals. The veteran linebacker has handled 80-plus percent of defensive snaps in four of Pittsburgh's last five contests.

The Steelers placed Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Williams is considered a high-risk close contact to Vance McDonald, who tested positive for the virus. He'll need to isolate for five days, but if he's able to test negative during that stretch, he'll be available for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals. Avery Williamson is the next man up if Williams is forced to miss any time.