Carnell Williams is recovering from a torn patella tendon for a second straight season, but he’s won’t start another year on the sideline.
Williams is reportedly expected to be cleared to practice when the Bucs hit the field Saturday.
He still must pass his physical, but Williams’ surprisingly speedy progress has the team confident he’ll be ready to roll.
Whether Williams has a major role with the team, however, is in doubt.
In fact, Cadillac’s readiness for camp could counterintuitively jeopardize his roster spot.
If Williams was placed on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start camp, he could potentially be transferred to the in-season PUP list. This is what Williams did last year, enabling him to rehab while not taking up a roster spot to open the season.
Now Williams will be on the roster, and he is probably fourth on the depth chart. Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham will lead the way, while Clifton Smith has a role on third downs and returns.
Like we wrote earlier this offseason, just making it back on an NFL roster would complete one of the most impressive comebacks in recent memory.