The Detroit Lions bandwagon wasn’t affected much, if at all, by the season-ending injury to rookie running back Mikel Leshoure, who was expected to play a big role in the team’s offense this season. But with Leshoure gone and Jahvid Best recently suffering another concussion, the Lions need help in the running game, if they truly hope to contend.
The Lions may have found a big back to fill Leshoure’s unworn shoes. As Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com points out, the Lions have claimed Keiland Williams on waivers from the Redskins.
“I’m thankful for having an opportunity to come here and play,” Williams said. “Obviously they saw something in me so they brought me in pretty quickly. It is an adjustment getting used to a new locker room, new personalities, but I’m up for the task.”
As Zaroo points out, Williams and Leshoure are nearly the same size -- five-feet, 11 inches and 230 pounds.
“We like his skill set,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “He’s still a young player. The Redskins went out and got [Tim] Hightower this year and he sort of got edged out in that [competition]. I think we were very lucky to get him.”
Williams hopes to improve on the 570 total yards he generated as an undrafted rookie in 2010.
“I’m definitely ready to embrace [a running role],” Williams said. “You know, I was playing fullback [in Washington] -- not really my position, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I’m definitely ready to get back in that two-point stance and carry it a little bit.”
The Lions are ready for him to do it, too. And the decision to go with Williams is yet another example of the trend away from big-name veterans, like another former Redskins running back who still can’t find a job. For most fans, Clinton Portis would still be the preferred alternative to Keiland Williams. But Williams is young, cheap, healthy, hungry, and talented. Most importantly, he’s employed -- and he could end up becoming just what the Lions needed.