Lions cut wide receiver Tyrell Williams with injury settlement

Injuries have thrown Williams’ career off course. This most recent health setback limited Williams to one game with the Lions, who had signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal just before free agency. Williams, 29, will be eligible to play for another team this season, but he has not been a particularly reliable player since 2019.

Reuniting with former Chargers HC Anthony Lynn, Williams was on track to be the Lions’ No. 1 receiver during their rebuilding season. But a concussion sustained in Week 1 sidelined him. The Lions had signed both Williams and Breshad Perriman to effectively serve as placeholders this season, but both are now off the roster.

This marks the second time this year a team has cut Williams. The Raiders jettisoned the former UDFA in February, with that move coming after he missed the entire 2020 season because of a shoulder injury. Back in 2016, with Keenan Allen missing most of that season, Williams eclipsed 1,000 yards in his first Chargers full season. He eventually became a role player with the Bolts, and the Raiders used him in a similar capacity in 2019. In 14 games with Oakland that year, Williams caught 42 passes for 651 yards and six touchdowns.