Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Thu 7/24/25 10:57 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams (knee) said Thursday that he feels "fantastic," Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "It feels like I never had an injury. I've put in the work. I feel great. Fantastic. No soreness. No aches. I'm running. I'm hitting 22 miles per hour, at 260 (pounds). That should tell you everything," Williams stated.
EDGE Analysis
Williams didn't play at all last season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee during training camp. The Ole Miss product had been slated for an important rotational role along Dallas' defensive line after logging 8.5 sacks over 32 regular-season games during his first two NFL campaigns. Per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, Williams has participated in initial training camp practices, and he was pulled from the team's first session Tuesday after laying a couple big hits on teammates. All signs point to Williams being ready for Week 1 of the campaign, and he's a favorite -- though not an absolute lock -- to nab a roster spot.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Thu 5/29/25 7:10 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams (knee) appears "close to a full return" after moving well during OTAs on Thursday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
EDGE Analysis
The defensive end tore his ACL and MCL during training camp last August and did not play in 2024. While he was only participating with a rehab group Thursday, he seems like he should be ready for this year's training camp. Williams, a 2022 second-round pick, has yet to start a game in his NFL career, though he did play in 35 contests between the regular season and playoffs over his first two seasons, recording 48 total tackles (30 solo), including 8.5 sacks.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Mon 11/11/24 6:19 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
The NFL lifted Williams' (knee) suspension Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
EDGE Analysis
Williams' three-game suspension without pay was cut short Monday, as the NFL lifted it after just two contests. However, the third-year pro from Ole Miss will remain on injured reserve and be sidelined for the rest of the year after tearing his ACL in training camp.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Mon 10/28/24 5:34 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams (knee) was suspended Monday for three games without pay for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Williams is already on IR and out for the season due to a torn ACL suffered during training camp. However, he'll still officially move to the league's reserve/suspended list and lose three games' worth of salary due to the suspension.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Tue 8/6/24 8:59 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
The Cowboys placed Williams (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Williams tore the ACL in his left knee July 28, and the 2022 second-round pick will shift his focus to recovering from his surgical procedure. With Williams out for the 2023 season, the Cowboys signed Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney to compete with Tyrus Wheat, Marshawn Kneeland, Durrell Johnson and Viliami Fehoko for backup spots at defensive end behind starters Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Tue 7/30/24 7:19 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams (knee) sustained a straightforward ACL tear Sunday, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Williams is "very disappointed" after suffering the injury, having high hopes for the 2024 campaign. The defensive lineman will undergo surgery performed by Dr. Dan Cooper, and NFL players typically recover from the procedure within nine to 12 months. Williams will now focus on being ready for training camp next summer.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Sun 7/28/24 8:14 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams (knee) suffered a torn ACL in his left knee Sunday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Williams has his 2024 campaign end before it even began, as he suffered the season-ending injury prior to his third year in the NFL. The 25-year-old was set to step into a primary role on the Cowboys' defensive line, but he'll now be forced to shift his focus to recovering from the ACL injury in anticipation of training camp next season. With Williams done for the year, rookie Marshawn Kneeland may be thrust into a substantial role in his place.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Sun 7/28/24 6:29 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams, who was carted off the field during practice Sunday, is feared to have torn his ACL and will have an MRI to confirm, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
It's a brutal blow for Williams, who was expected to see an increased role at edge rusher behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons after Dorance Armstrong signed with the Commanders in free agency. If the MRI confirms a torn ACL, Williams will shift his focus on recovery and returning healthy for the beginning of the 2025 season. The 2024 second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland figures to be the next man up to take over Williams' backup role at edge rusher, while Tyrus Wheat and Viliami Fehoko will compete for a depth spot at that position.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Sun 7/28/24 3:14 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams was carted off the field after injuring his left knee during practice Sunday, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Williams went down in a lot of pain after coming off a block during a drill, and after staying on the ground for several minutes, he was eventually helped onto a cart by teammates and medical staff. It looks to be a brutal blow for Williams, who showed improvement in his second year in the NFL, as he finished 2023 with 26 tackles (15 solo), including 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble while playing all 17 regular-season games. The 2022 second-round pick out of Ole Miss was set to provide crucial depth at edge rusher behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons after Dorance Armstrong signed with the Commanders in free agency.
Sam Williams EDR/DE DAL (10) Tue 1/30/24 1:43 PM
Sam Williams
EDR/DE DAL (10)
Williams recorded 26 tackles (15 solo) including 4.5 sacks while adding a forced fumble over 17 regular-season games in 2023.
EDGE Analysis
A second-round pick in 2022, Williams split his time between the pass rush and punt-blocking duties, seeing 287 snaps on defense and 295 on special teams, and he made an impact in each area. The Ole Miss hasn't had a chance to really shine as an edge rusher yet in the NFL, but his time could be coming in 2024 -- Dorance Armstrong, who piled up 16.0 sacks over the last two seasons, will likely depart in free agency, leaving a vacancy as the primary pass-rushing complement to Micah Parsons.