Green Bay Packers waive running back on roster cut deadline day

The Green Bay Packers have decided to move on from running back Dexter Williams, according to Packers’ insider Ryan Wood. Williams has been with the Packers for the last two seasons.

“Packers are releasing RB Dexter Williams, per source,” Wood said.

Williams is a former Packers sixth-round draft pick

Williams played four seasons at Notre Dame prior to his NFL career. As a freshman in 2015, he ran for just 81 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown. Williams had 39 carries in each of the next two seasons, running for 200 yards and three touchdowns in 2016 and 360 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.

In his senior season at Notre Dame, Williams had his most productive season by far. Williams saw 158 carries, totaling 995 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his collegiate career, Williams averaged 6.4 yards per carry and totaled 1,636 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns.

The Packers selected Williams 194th overall in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Williams did not see much work through his first two NFL seasons. He has suited up for seven games, totaling seven carries for 19 yards.

Green Bay has a couple of very talented running backs on its roster. This made it tough for Williams to find a path to playing time. Aaron Jones is locked in as the Packers’ starting running back. He has run for 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. In his career, Jones has run for 3,364 yards and 37 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Jones also has over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns receiving.

Behind Jones, AJ Dillon is poised for a major uptick in playing time this season. Dillon had 46 carries for 242 yards and two touchdowns last season as a rookie. With Jamaal Williams now in Detroit, Dillon is locked in as the primary backup running back. The Packers also have Kylin Hill in the running back room. There was simply no room for Williams on the Packers’ roster.