Per the NFL transactions wire, running back Jonathan Williams has completed the COVID-19 onboarding process and has been added to the Detroit Lions active roster.
Williams will be the fourth option in a backfield that has relied on just three running backs all season so it’s unclear if the team has a plan to get him touches or if he is just on the team for emergency purposes — like Bo Scarbrough before him.
The Lions did not need to make a corresponding move following Williams’ addition, as they had two open spots on their 53-man roster due to the fact that they have placed both Matthew Stafford and Jarrad Davis on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Currently, the Lions have 52-players on their active roster, but because Stafford falls “high-risk close contact” category, it’s possible he will clear his requirements and be able to play on Sunday, reclaiming one of the available roster spots
It’s unknown which category Davis’ falls into, meaning he may be out a short or an extended period of time. When he returns, the Lions may be forced to make a roster move at that time, assuming they have not made another roster move already.
