Raiders ink RB Williams to bolster backfield depth

The Las Vegas Raiders added to their running back depth by signing Damien Williams, his agent announced Friday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Williams adds a veteran presence as the team adjusts to the absence of Josh Jacobs (holdout). Fellow running backs Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah are also on the roster.

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said the signing of Williams had more to do with other running backs getting “nicked” up in camp the last few days, especially with two exhibitions in six days, as well as two more joint practices at the Rams on tap.

Plus, the Raiders had already worked out Williams earlier in camp.

“He was in shape, has had a productive career, he’s a good football player, he’s smart, he’s tough,” McDaniels said. “So we were interested in him, honestly, before.

“Just trying to make sure that at each spot we can, we’re as healthy as we can be going into this stretch of days, which is going to be an important one.”

Williams, 31, played in just one game last season with the Atlanta Falcons, carrying the ball twice for 2 yards before sustaining a rib injury. He spent most of his time on injured reserve before being released in December.

Williams had a big postseason for the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2019 campaign by rushing for 196 yards and four touchdowns and catching 11 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns in three games. He stood out in Super Bowl LIV with 104 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries and four receptions for 29 yards and another score as the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers.

Williams has rushed for 1,397 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 154 passes for 1,209 yards and 11 scores in 98 games (16 starts) for the Miami Dolphins (2014-17), Chiefs (2018-19), Chicago Bears (2021) and Falcons (2022).

Information from ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez and Reuters was used in this report.

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