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Former NFL team doctor weighs in on Jameson Williams injury

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•01/10/22•

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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

When Bryce Young found Jameson Williams for a 40-yard pass, it looked like Alabama’s offense was warming up. But Williams hurt his leg on the play — and a former NFL team doctor has an idea of what happened.

The play happened with 12:28 to play in the second quarter of the College Football Playoff national championship. Williams walked to the locker room after spending some time in the injury tent, which was a good sign.

But David J. Chao, who was an NFL doctor for 17 years and runs the twitter account @ProFootballDoc, wasn’t optimistic after seeing the replay. He shared a video of the play and offered his reaction to the injury.

“By video, #JamesonWilliams appears to suffer left knee ACL and MCL tear non contact,” Chao tweeted. “Top prospect. Best wishes.”

It’s not a sight Alabama fans wanted to see. Williams is Young’s top target, ranking fifth in the country with 1,507 receiving yards entering Monday’s national championship.

Alabama settled for a field goal on the drive and made another one on the ensuing drive to take a 9-3 lead with 7:07 to play in the first half.

Jameson Williams suffers non-contact injury in national championship

Alabama’s offense, which is already suffering from injuries, may have lost yet another tool in Jameson Williams.

Williams, a star wide receiver for the Crimson Tide, went down with a non-contact injury in the second quarter of Alabama’s national championship contest with Georgia. His injury came shortly after Alabama lost wide receiver John Metchie to a torn ACL in the SEC Championship.

Alabama, which scored a field goal on its first drive then punted twice, had an excellent start to the fourth drive, thanks to Williams. On first-and-10 from Alabama’s own 26-yard line, Young dropped back in the pocket and found Williams wide open in the middle of the field for a big 40-yard gain. However, shortly after crossing midfield, Williams was met by a Georgia defender and appeared to buckle his knee as he made his way to the turf.

The severity of Williams’ injury remains unclear. After a short stint in the medical tent, Williams emerged and began walking on the sideline on his own power. He then went straight to the locker room with the trainers.

At the time of his injury, Williams had four receptions for 65 yards, the latter of which led all Alabama receivers.