Cardinals RB Ryan Williams played fewer snaps than backup William Powell in Week 4. Kevin Kolb's improved has coincided with an increase in no-huddle looks, but Williams isn't ready to be a part of that personnel package at this point. Williams is on the field for the majority of running downs however. If he's going to have a breakout game, the Week 5 matchup is right versus a Rams run defense that surrendered 179 yards to Seattle last week. Note that Williams is averaging less than 3.0 yards per carry so far.

Ryan Williams rushed for 13 times for 26 yards and caught one pass for a gain of zero yards in the Cardinals' Week 4 win over Miami. Williams will face a weak Rams run defense in Week 5, but we'd like to see him show more explosiveness as a runner before recommending him as a confident fantasy start. Although he runs hard and can make a man miss if need be in the open field, Williams doesn't accelerate through the hole with burst, and that doesn't work great behind an offensive line that opens precious few holes. Through four weeks, Williams is on pace for 176 carries, 524 yards (2.98 YPC), and no touchdowns. It's worth noting that he is not involved in Arizona's hurry-up offense and lost a fairly significant number of snaps Sunday to William Powell.

Ryan Williams is expecting 15-20 more snaps per game now that Beanie Wells (toe) is sidelined. Prior to Williams' August 2011 patellar tendon tear, he showed signs of difference-making talent. He's going to get a chance to put that on display for at least the next two months. Williams, who impressively rushed 13 times for 64 yards against the Eagles last week, now projects to push for 20 touches per week as long as his knee cooperates. He'll be backed up on early downs by William Powell.

Ryan Williams is practicing in full this week. Williams briefly checked out of Sunday's win, but was only dealing with a cramp. Now in line for lead-back duties with Beanie Wells (toe) out until at least Week 12, Williams needs to be scooped up in the few leagues he wasn't already owned in. He has a tough Week 4 matchup in the Dolphins' stout run defense.

Taking advantage of Beanie Wells' toe injury, Ryan Williams rushed 13 times for a career-high 83 yards and added one reception for 12 yards versus the Eagles in Week 3. Williams was held in check by the Eagles' now elite run defense before Wells exited late in the third quarter. Effectively bleeding the clock, Williams showed impressive burst on a 25-yard draw play to convert a 3rd-and-17 play. He followed that run with an 11-yard gain on the next third down and added a 20-yard jaunt on the ensuing series. Williams did limp off late in garbage time, but it appeared to be just a cramp. If he's healthy entering Week 4 versus the Dolphins, we could have a changing of the guard in the Arizona backfield.

Ryan Williams concedes he's been thinking about his surgically repaired knee when he carries the football in games. Williams has been completely ineffective and fumbled twice in two games. "As soon as some contact comes, sometimes the first thing I think about is 'Is my leg going to be OK?'" Williams conceded. "I'm not thinking, 'Play fast.' It's 'When I get hit, I need to lay myself down so my leg isn't caught up in some crazy mess.'" Williams tore his patellar tendon last year, and running backs struggle almost without fail coming off that injury. "It's hard to go out there and play like yourself at times after that," Williams admitted.

Ryan Williams (knee) was limited again in Thursday's practice. Coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that Williams' reps have been limited for precautionary reasons. Williams is fully expected to play versus the Eagles, but he's not a fantasy option as the lesser half of a timeshare.

Ryan Williams (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice. The Cardinals are just managing Williams' reps, as he's avoided further injury through the season's first two weeks. He's also avoided production, however, gaining an absurdly bad 22 yards on 18 carries. He's off the fantasy radar for the time being.

Ryan Williams was held to 13 yards on 10 carries and two receptions for 10 yards versus the Patriots in Week 2. Simply put, Williams has been one of the NFL's least effective players through two weeks. Although he seemed to put the game away with a 14-yard first down in clock-killing mode, his third-down fumble gave the Pats a shot at the game-winning field goal. Williams is averaging just 1.2 yards on 18 carries heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Eagles.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt explained Monday that Ryan Williams started over Beanie Wells in Week 1 only because Wells was battling a hamstring injury. "Nothing more than that," Whiz assured. Williams struggled mightily against Seattle, gaining just nine yards on eight carries and losing a fumble. Wells wasn't much better, rushing seven times for 14 yards. In terms of fantasy value, the Cards' backfield is one to avoid with two gimpy runners in a timeshare.