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DeAngelo Williams Injury Update: Panthers Running Back To Return Vs Saints?

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) defends at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) defends at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeAngelo Williams is expected to return to the lineup for the Carolina Panthers from a high ankle sprain when they take on NFC South rival New Orleans on Thursday night

The Carolina Panthers should get a boost to their lackluster offense with the return of running back DeAngelo Williams from a high ankle sprain who declared himself “ready to roll” after being sidelined since Sept. 28.

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Williams has been in and out of the lineup this year for the Panthers and also missed two games in September with a hamstring injury and the Panthers ground game has suffered as a result. After the Panthers dropped to 3-4-1 on the year after Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers rushing offense ranks 30th in the NFL with 92.9 yards per game.

Head coach Ron Rivera hopes the return of Williams to a backfield that got Jonathan Stewart back earlier this month will serve as a catalyst for the team looking to make a strong push in the second half of the season and make a push for a second straight NFC South division title.

"“It’ll be a nice boost,” Rivera said, via David Newton of ESPN.com. “When he and Jonathan [Stewart] get rolling and doing the things they do that’s a huge thing for us. That could be a nice shot in the arm.”"

Williams has just 25 carries for 106 yards and zero touchdowns in two games and his return means offensive coordinator Mike Shula will have his top two running backs healthy for the first time in more than a month and bring some balance to the backfield.

“It will help a lot just to complement Stewart,” offensive coordinator Mike Shula said of having Williams back. “When we’re rushing the ball effectively it’s usually with those two guys.”

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