Preston Williams, one of the few real bright storylines, had a season-ending injury in Phins win
The joy of Miami’s win against the Jets took a huge hit at the news that the stellar season of rookie Preston Williams is over. While the situation was different, all I could think of Marty Lyons and Dwight Stephenson. Let’s hope these stories have different endings.
At the tail-end of a punt return yesterday a Jets player fell awkwardly on the back of Williams’ knee and he limped heavily off the field after medical examination. Willams didn’t return to the game and was taken off the field by cart… and that is never a good sign.
Due to Jakeem Grant being injured, Williams took over the duty of punt returner. While effective, he was a bit gangly and took several ugly hits in the process. While I don’t question him being put on the punt return, a kid of that caliber and size might have been better served not being put into a meat grinder. I assume after this injury, he won’t.
ESPN has confirmed it was a torn ACL, so it will a long rehab.
In so many ways this is bad news. Williams had enough off the field trouble to go undrafted, but by every indication, he was a humble and good kid rising above his past errors. In fact, Williams was proving himself to be a very likable player and person. Getting injured to this degree and going through rehab is grueling to both body and mind. We can only hope that he grows stronger from this both as a player and a man.
Unfortunately, despite the medical technology, nothing is a given. And, youth, free time, and money can be the devil’s workshop. I was broke at his age and was raising hell. Imagine what damage I could have done with wads of cash? Let’s hope he isn’t as dumb as I was. The good thing is Flores made it clear that his regime was about mentoring the football player and the human.
Williams was the brightest addition to the 2019 team
His production was growing weekly and had flashed ‘special’ from Week 1 of the preseason. This was his best game of the season. In eight games Williams compiled 32 receptions for 428 yards with a 13.4 average and 3 touchdowns.
The loss of Williams is a major blow to the Dolphins offensive production. The pay per head sportsbook services like www.AcePerHead.com is betting that sans Willams the Phins odds of getting more wins took a big hit.
Seeing how Williams bounces back from this severe injury will be a major storyline going into the 2020 Season. Go Phins!!!
