Chiefs Place RB Darrel Williams On IR
By Michael Luciano
The injury bug has taken another bite out of the Kansas City Chiefs, this time dealing them a major blow to their backfield.
Second-year running back Darrel Williams injured his hamstring last week against the Oakland Raiders, and Andy Reid has now placed him on injured reserve, ending his 2019 season.
The #Chiefs have placed RB Darrel Williams on Injured Reserve with a bad hamstring injury suffered last week, elevating DB Alex Brown to take his place.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2019
Williams, a former second-string back at LSU who backed up Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice, signed with the Chiefs in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. Mostly used in short-yardage situations, Williams had 141 yards rushing on 41 carries to go along with three touchdowns, one of which won them a game against the Detroit Lions. He also added 167 yards as a receiver.
The most likely candidate to replace Williams' carries is sixth-round rookie Darwin Thompson, who carried the ball 11 times for 44 yards in a win against the Raiders.
We have elevated DB Alex Brown to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 5, 2019
WR Gehrig Dieter has been signed to the practice squad.
RB Darrel Williams has been placed on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/sQeybYwtwq
The Chiefs already have had trouble running the ball, and losing their young sledgehammer in Williams could come back to haunt them when the temperature continues to drop in the playoffs.