Tyleik Williams has been playing less and less on Sundays lately.
The Lions’ first-round rookie, who they selected 28th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft back in April, played just eight defensive snaps in Detroit’s 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
This comes after he saw just 11 snaps in the Lions’ 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9 and 22 in their 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. He had averaged 30.5 snaps in Detroit’s first six games,
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill’s return from injury against Tampa Bay would definitely explain a general decrease in snaps for the rookie. But to be playing less than a third of his average early-season snap count? There’s got to be more to it than that.
“Tyleik’s just a young guy that is continuing to get better and growing,” Campbell said on his weekly radio appearance on 97.1 The Ticket. “There’s a little inconsistency at times, but that’s not out of the norm. Correct it, get a little bit better, and move on.”
It hasn’t been the most productive season for Williams. He currently has six tackles, one tackle for loss, and three passes defended on the year. Although, admittedly, it’s tough to quantify a defensive lineman’s impact using the box score.
McNeill isn’t the only interior lineman playing over Williams. There’s, of course, veteran run stuffer D.J. Reader, who’s played over half of the Lions’ defensive snaps this season. And Roy Lopez, signed this offseason from Arizona, has out-snapped Williams in the last two games (14 and 12).
Lopez had two tackles for loss against Washington, including half a sack.
“He’s playing at a high level, man,” Campbell said about Lopez. “It’s one of the reasons we wanted him here. He’s an outstanding role player for us. When he comes in, we don’t miss a beat, man. He can lift the point of attack, man. He can. He’s one of those guys, man. He plays with leverage. He’s stout, he’s strong, he’s explosive.”
The Lions love Lopez for his violent playing style and strength. He’s quietly been one of their best additions, even if it means keeping their first-round pick on the bench to get Lopez more opportunities.
“The hard thing for [Tyleik Williams], which is a good thing for all of us, is [Alim McNeill] is playing good, [DJ] Reader’s playing good, [Roy] Lopez is playing good,” Campbell said. “So like, hey man, you got some good players in front of you right now, and so what you do is elevate his game, and then he’ll be in front of them.”
It’s still very early in Williams’ career, and like Campbell said, Detroit has a good problem to have at defensive tackle. But the Lions have clearly issued a challenge to him to play better and make more of his opportunities. We’ll see if he can get back in Campbell’s good graces.
The NFL world is in total shock after breaking news reveals Brock Purdy’s health might be in worse condition than anyone thought. Sources close to the San Francisco 49ers have exposed a shocking truth that’s sure to rock Purdy’s loyal fans: His injury could be far more serious than the team is letting on.
“IS PURDY OUT FOR THE SEASON? THIS COULD BE MUCH WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT!”
While the team has publicly stated that Purdy “has a good chance to play” this Sunday, insiders are raising major concerns. A well-placed source within the 49ers organization revealed that Purdy’s recovery isn’t going as smoothly as the team has suggested, and there are serious doubts about whether he’ll be able to return to full health anytime soon. “The truth is, Purdy is far from 100%. What they’re calling a ‘good chance to play’ is really just an attempt to keep fans calm,” the source shared.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that there’s more to Purdy’s situation than the team is willing to admit. Could the 49ers be hiding a major setback to protect Purdy’s image? If so, what does that mean for the future of the team and their Super Bowl hopes?
“SHANAHAN IS UNDER PRESSURE: WILL HE RISK PURDY’S HEALTH?”
Despite strong performances from backup Mac Jones, Shanahan is still placing his faith in Purdy’s ability to lead the 49ers. “We have confidence in Brock. As long as he’s healthy, he’ll play at a high level,” Shanahan said. But is this really about Purdy’s health? Or is Shanahan simply trying to keep the team’s momentum intact, even if it means putting Purdy at risk?
One thing is for sure: If Purdy isn’t truly ready, starting him on Sunday could be a disastrous decision that could derail the 49ers’ season. Fans are left wondering if the team is making the right call, or if they’re hiding the truth to avoid public panic.
“RICKY PEARSALL READY TO STEP UP, BUT IS IT TOO LATE?”
In other news, rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is reportedly healthy and ready to return. But with Purdy’s injury concerns looming, can Pearsall truly make the impact needed to save the season? Some fans are already questioning if Pearsall’s return will be enough to help the 49ers stay competitive.
“WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON IN THE 49ERS’ LOCKER ROOM?”
Tensions are clearly high in the 49ers’ locker room. The coaching staff is under immense pressure to make the right decision about Purdy’s health, while the fans are growing increasingly concerned. Will the 49ers’ decision-makers prioritize Purdy’s long-term health over the immediate demands of the season?
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE… AND WE’RE NOT BUYING IT!
The clock is ticking down to Sunday’s game, and fans are anxiously waiting to see whether Purdy will suit up or if his injury will force him out. With so many unanswered questions, one thing is certain: The 49ers’ injury saga is far from over.
Stay tuned for more explosive updates as this story continues to unfold.