The Green Bay Packers transported running back Jamaal Williams to a nearby hospital shortly into Thursday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Williams suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit from Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett. The Eagles defender clearly hit the back late, after his teammates had very obviously taken Williams down. The hit was completely unnecessary, especially considering the helmet-to-helmet fashion.
Dirty and late hit by #Eagles DE Derek Barnett. #Packers RB Jamaal Williams had to be taken off on a stretcher. Just unnecessary. https://t.co/6TDDYlKzXy
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 27, 2019
This is a pathetic hit by Derek Barnett 😡
Prayers up for Jamaal Williams 🙏https://t.co/RMT1tuUZb4
— Packers Nation (@PackersNationCP) September 27, 2019
The Packers officially announced that the running back “does have feeling & movement in all of his extremities,” and he will be out for the rest of the game. He is being evaluated for head and neck injuries.
Williams has been ruled out for the game. He does have feeling & movement in all of his extremities. https://t.co/ag28xZ5iqm
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 27, 2019
Despite the illegal fashion of the hit, Barnett wasn't pulled from the game. Instead, the officials flagged him for unnecessary roughness, a 15-yard penalty. The play occurred on Green Bay's first offensive snap of the game. However, he likely won't avoid the NFL's swift hammer of fines stemming from helmet hits, unnecessary ones or dirty ones; his was all three.
With Williams out, the Packers lack their pass-catching and pass-blocking running back. Though not a starter, the running back has played a key role in Green Bay's offense in 2019. Aaron Jones, the starter, will receive increased snaps in the game; so will rookie Dexter Williams.
It's unknown the severity of Williams' injury or if he'll be out. The NFL plays with extreme caution with head/neck injuries, stretching players off whenever needed — as they did on Thursday.
Hopefully, for the sack of Williams' health, the hit is more severe than the ensuing injury.