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Bears | D.J. Williams won't be back Wed Mar 11, 07:54 AM
Free-agent MLB D.J. Williams (Bears) has been told by the team it is going in a different direction and Williams won't be back for the 2015 season.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | Montell Owens signed Thu Dec 11, 01:41 PM
The Chicago Bears signed free-agent FB Montell Owens (Lions) Thursday, Dec. 11. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The team also placed LB D.J. Williams (neck) on the Reserve/Injured list.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Montell Owens player page
Bears | D.J. Williams leaves game Thu Dec 4, 09:02 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (undisclosed) went to the locker room in the first quarter Thursday, Dec. 4, after delivering a big hit to Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
DeMarco Murray player page
Bears | Friday injury report Fri Oct 17, 03:47 PM
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs (ribs) and FS Chris Conte (shoulder) did not participate in practice Friday, Oct. 17, and have been ruled out for Week 7. LB Jonathan Bostic (back) was limited during practice and is listed as questionable. OT Jermon Bushrod (ankle, knee), SS Ahmad Dixon (hamstring), LB Shea McClellin (hand), CB Sherrick McManis (knee, quadriceps), OT Jordan Mills (foot) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) fully participated in practice and are listed as probable.
Link to storyLance Briggs player page
D.J. Williams player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Thursday practice report Thu Oct 16, 06:32 PM
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs (ribs) and S Chris Conte (shoulder) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 16. LB Jonathan Bostic (back), S Ahmad Dixon (hamstring), OT Jordan Mills (foot) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) were limited. OT Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), LB Shea McClellin (hand) and CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps, knee) participated fully.
Lance Briggs player pageD.J. Williams player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Wednesday practice report for Week 7 Wed Oct 15, 06:05 PM
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs (ribs) has been ruled out of the team's Week 7 game. S Chris Conte (shoulder), OT Jordan Mills (foot), DT Stephen Paea (not injury related) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) all did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 15. LB Jon Bostic (back), OT Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), S Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) and CB Sherrick McManis (quadricep, knee) all were limited in practice. LB Shea McClellin (hand) fully participated in practice.
Lance Briggs player pageD.J. Williams player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Stephen Paea player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Week 6 Inactives Sun Oct 12, 03:16 PM
The Chicago Bears have declared LB Jonathan Bostic, LB Lance Briggs, OT Jermon Bushrod, DB Ahmad Dixon, LB Shea McClellin, CB Sherrick McManis, LB D.J. Williams inactive for Week 6.
| Footballguys view: The Bears linebacker corps is as thin as any unit in the league today. Steven Jackson should get a chance to get rolling in this one. |
D.J. Williams player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | One downgraded, two moves made Sat Oct 11, 07:04 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (neck) was downgraded to questionable for Week 6. LB Terrell Manning was promoted to the 53-man roster, and FS Shamiel Gary was waived Saturday, Oct. 11.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Terrell Manning player page
Bears | Friday injury report Fri Oct 10, 05:19 PM
Chicago Bears C Taylor Boggs (hamstring), OT Jermon Bushrod (ankle, knee), LB Lance Briggs (ribs), LB Shea McClellin (hand) and SS Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Oct. 10, and have been ruled out for Week 6. LB Jonathan Bostic (back) and CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps) did not participate in practice and are listed as questionable. C Roberto Garza (ankle), DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion), LB D.J. Williams (neck) and FS Chris Conte (concussion) fully participated in practice and are listed as probable.
| Footballguys view: The Bears linebacker corps is very thin, which could mean good things for Steven Jackson and Antone Smith in the Falcons backfield this week. |
Lance Briggs player page
D.J. Williams player page
Jeremiah Ratliff player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Thursday practice report Thu Oct 9, 05:26 PM
Chicago Bears C Taylor Boggs (hamstring), LB Jon Bostic (back), LB Lance Briggs (ribs), OT Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), SS Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) and LB Shea McClellin (hand) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 9. FS Chris Conte (concussion), CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) were limited. C Roberto Garza (ankle) and DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) fully participated.
Lance Briggs player pageD.J. Williams player page
Jeremiah Ratliff player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Wednesday practice report Wed Oct 8, 06:01 PM
Chicago Bears LBs Jonathan Bostic (back), Lance Briggs (ribs), D.J. Williams (neck) and Shea McClellin (hand), OT Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), S Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) and C Taylor Boggs (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 8. S Chris Conte (concussion), CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps) and DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) were limited in practice. C Roberto Garza (ankle) was a full participant.
Link to storyLance Briggs player page
D.J. Williams player page
Jeremiah Ratliff player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Friday injury report Fri Oct 3, 05:52 PM
Chicago Bears OT Jermon Bushrod (ankle, knee), DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion), LB Shea McClellin (hand) and SS Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) have been ruled out for Week 5. C Roberto Garza (ankle) and CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps) are listed as doubtful, OG Matt Slauson (ankle) is listed as questionable and DE Jared Allen (illness), LB Lance Briggs (knee), FS Chris Conte (shoulder) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) are listed as probable. Bushrod, Ratliff, McClellin and Dixon did not participate in practice Friday, Oct. 3. Garza and McManis were limited during practice, while the other players fully participated in practice.
Link to storyLance Briggs player page
Jared Allen player page
D.J. Williams player page
Jeremiah Ratliff player page
Hakeem Nicks player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Thursday practice report Thu Oct 2, 05:03 PM
Chicago Bears OT Jermon Bushrod (knee, ankle), S Ahmad Dixon (hamstring), LB Shea McClellin (hand) and DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) did not practice Thursday, Oct. 2. DE Jared Allen (illness), C Roberto Garza (ankle), CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps) and OG Matt Slauson (ankle) were limited, while LB Lance Briggs (knee), S Chris Conte (shoulder) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) practiced in full.
Link to storyLance Briggs player page
Jared Allen player page
D.J. Williams player page
Jeremiah Ratliff player page
Hakeem Nicks player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | Wednesday practice report Wed Oct 1, 05:59 PM
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs (knee), S Ahmad Dixon (hamstring), LB Shea McClellin (hand) and LB D.J. Williams (neck) did not practice Wednesday, Oct. 1. DE Jared Allen (illness), OT Jermon Bushrod (knee), C Roberto Garza (ankle), CB Sherrick McManis (quadriceps), DT Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) and OG Matt Slauson (ankle) were limited, while S Chris Conte (shoulder) practiced in full.
Lance Briggs player pageJared Allen player page
D.J. Williams player page
Jeremiah Ratliff player page
Hakeem Nicks player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Chris Conte player page
Shea McClellin player page
NFL | Five clear waivers Fri Aug 22, 05:11 PM
Free-agent DT Anthony McCloud (Cardinals), WR Jabin Sambrano (Falcons), DT Marcus Forston (Patriots), TE D.J. Williams (Patriots) and DE James Ruffin (Buccaneers) all cleared waivers Friday, Aug. 22.
D.J. Williams player pageJames Ruffin player page
Marcus Forston player page
Anthony McCloud player page
Patriots | Nate Byham signs Sun Jul 20, 03:31 AM
The New England Patriots have signed free-agent TE Nate Byham (Buccaneers). Byham will likely compete with TEs Michael Hoomanawanui and D.J. Williams for a chance to back up Rob Gronkowski.
| Footballguys view: We can't imagine Byham beating out either of those two. Gronkowski's injury history makes fantasy owners curious about his backup. However, as we saw last year the team changes the way they distribute the football through the air if Gronk is out. |
D.J. Williams player page
Michael Hoomanawanui player page
Nate Byham player page
Bears | Two starting spots at linebacker up for grabs Thu Jul 3, 04:38 PM
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs is the only linebacker assured of starting, according to the coaching staff. Briggs will start at weakside linebacker. It is expected LB D.J. Williams will win the starting job at middle linebacker, and LBs Jonathan Bostic and Shea McClellin will compete to start at strongside linebacker. It is expected Bostic will start, because he is the superior athlete, whereas McClellin could end up in some sub packages as an extra pass rusher.
| Footballguys view: McClellin struggled badly on the line, so the team is trying to salvage their first round pick by moving him to the linebacker spot. Bostic is more consistent and has more upside so it wouldn't shock us to see him win the job. The Bears were atrocious defensively last year though, so anyone who performs consistently will get a shot at a starting gig. |
Lance Briggs player page
D.J. Williams player page
Shea McClellin player page
Bears | D.J. Williams leader at middle linebacker Tue Jun 17, 03:17 PM
Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman said LB D.J. Williams is "the lead dog" at middle linebacker. Trestman said Williams has to prove he can stay healthy.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | Jonathan Bostic pushing for MLB job Wed Jun 11, 10:55 AM
Chicago Bears LB Jonathan Bostic is pushing LB D.J. Williams for the starting middle linebacker spot. Bostic has made a strong impression even in non-contact OTA sessions, according to sources. Bostic has played all three linebacker spots thus far.
| Footballguys view: Bostic is a banger in the middle. He arrives at the play with natural violence, and he can intimidate opponents. What Bostic needs to work on is coverage ability. He may with the MLB job, but he'll be replaced on passing downs if he can't cover. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | Bringing back D.J. Williams on one-year deal Tue Mar 11, 04:21 PM
The Chicago Bears will re-sign free-agent LB D.J. Williams to a one-year deal. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed.
| Footballguys view: Williams is going to compete with the starting job with second-year pro Jonathan Bostic. He missed 10 games last year with a torn pectoral muscle. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | Close to deal with D.J. Williams Mon Mar 10, 02:23 PM
the Chicago Bears are close to re-signing free-agent LB D.J. Williams, and a deal could be reached before the start of free agency Tuesday, March 11.
| Footballguys view: Williams would be the favorite to start at middle linebacker, but he's not going to get handed the job. He'll have to compete with second-year pro Jonathan Bostic for the job. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | Interested in bringing D.J. Williams back Thu Feb 27, 09:41 PM
The Chicago Bears have expressed interest in re-signing impending free-agent LB D.J. Williams this offseason. A deal between the two sides could occur before the start of free agency.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams could return Fri Feb 14, 08:17 PM
The Chicago Bears have not ruled out the possibility of re-signing impending free-agent LB D.J. Williams this offseason.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | Jonathan Bostic could move to OLB Tue Feb 4, 08:06 PM
The Chicago Bears may move LB Jonathan Bostic to strongside linebacker next season if they decided to re-sign impending free-agent LB D.J. Williams.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams could return Wed Jan 29, 01:25 PM
The Chicago Bears may be interested in re-signing impending free-agent LB D.J. Williams to an incentive-laden deal this offseason.
| Footballguys view: The Bears had some massive regression along the whole defense so any player being retained is likely to have to prove themselves with a similar contract. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams placed on IR Fri Oct 18, 10:43 PM
The Chicago Bears placed LB D.J. Williams (pectoral) on the season-ending Injured Reserve list Friday, Oct. 18, and they promoted LB Jerry Franklin from the practice squad to the active roster in the corresponding move.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Jerry Franklin player page
Bears | D.J. Williams out for season Fri Oct 11, 03:21 PM
Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (pectoral) will miss the rest of the season because of a torn pectoral muscle. Williams has been told he needs surgery to repair the injury.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams may have serious injury Fri Oct 11, 02:53 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (pectoral) may be dealing with a torn pectoral muscle that would end his season. The team expects to know more on the injury in the next 24 hours. LB Jonathan Bostic replaced Williams in the team's Week 6 game Thursday, Oct. 10.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams injured Thu Oct 10, 10:30 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (chest) suffered a chest injury Week 6 and is considered questionable to return.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | Three probable for Week 5 Fri Oct 4, 04:59 PM
Chicago Bears CB Sherrick McManis (quadricep) and DE Julius Peppers (chest) both fully practiced and are probable for Week 5. LB D.J. Williams (illness) was limited in practice and is probable.
Link to storyJulius Peppers player page
D.J. Williams player page
Sherrick McManis player page
Bears | Four defensive players miss practice Thu Oct 3, 06:13 PM
Chicago Bears DT Stephen Paea (toe), LB D.J. Williams (illness), CB Charles Tillman (groin, knee) and FS Anthony Walters (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Oct. 3.
Link to storyCharles Tillman player page
D.J. Williams player page
Stephen Paea player page
Bears | Teammate says D.J. Williams to start Thu Sep 5, 03:55 PM
Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs said LB D.J. Williams (calf) will start at middle linebacker Week 1. Head coach Marc Trestman said the team has not decided if Williams or LB Jonathan Bostic will start at middle linebacker.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams limited Wednesday Thu Aug 29, 04:46 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (calf) was limited during practice Wednesday, Aug. 28.
| Footballguys view: Williams is getting back on track after missing most of camp with a calf injury. He's competing with rookie Jon Bostic to be the starter at the middle linebacker spot. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams nearing return Tue Aug 27, 12:55 AM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (calf) has resumed running, as he continues to progress from a calf injury which has sidelined him for the first three preseason games. 'He's day to day, but we'll see where it goes. We're optimistic he's gonna be close (to fully healthy by Week 1). It's still day to day, but there is progress,' head coach Marc Trestman said Monday, Aug. 26.
| Footballguys view: Williams was supposed to be competing with rookie Jon Bostic for the starting job in Chicago. Bostic has been playing well and is likely to be the starter even if Williams is healthy. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | Jonathan Bostic getting golden opportunity Tue Aug 20, 12:28 PM
Chicago Bears LB Jonathan Bostic has started two preseason games at middle linebacker while LB D.J. Williams (calf) is sidelined, and Bostic's chance of starting get better each day Williams remains on the shelf.
| Footballguys view: Bostic was already competing for the starting job before Williams' injury. He might have beat him out anyway. The rookie has a nose for the football and is known as a violent tackler. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | Two remain sidelined Tue Aug 20, 11:56 AM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (calf) and OT Jonathan Scott (knee) remained sidelined for practice Monday, Aug. 19.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | Five miss practice, one returns Mon Aug 12, 10:38 AM
Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett (concussion), LB D.J. Williams (calf), RB Armando Allen (undisclosed), OT Jonathan Scott (knee) and RB Harvey Unga (ribs) are out of practice Monday, Aug. 12. WR Joe Anderson (shoulder) returned to practice.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Earl Bennett player page
Harvey Unga player page
Armando Allen player page
Joe Anderson player page
Bears | Several miss preseason opener Sun Aug 11, 08:02 PM
Chicago Bears TE Kyle Adams (hamstring), DT Jamaal Anderson (knee), CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring), OT Jonathan Scott (knee) , LB D.J. Williams (calf) and DE Corey Wootton (calf) were each held out of the preseason opener Friday, Aug. 9, against the Carolina Panthers due to injury.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Kelvin Hayden player page
Jamaal Anderson player page
Corey Wootton player page
Kyle Adams player page
Bears | Two ruled out for preseason game Thu Aug 8, 03:49 PM
Chicago Bears WR Earl Bennett (concussion) and LB D.J. Williams (calf) will not play in the first preseason game because of injuries.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Earl Bennett player page
Bears | Four sitting Wed Aug 7, 10:23 AM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (calf), WR Earl Bennett (head), OT Jonathan Scott (knee) and CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) are out of practice Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Kelvin Hayden player page
Earl Bennett player page
Bears | Two miss practice Tue Aug 6, 04:56 PM
Chicago Bears CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) and LB D.J. Williams (calf) did not participate in practice Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Kelvin Hayden player page
Bears | D.J. Williams in walking boot Thu Aug 1, 01:11 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (calf) is in a walking boot. 'I anticipate he'll be ready to go when the doctors clear him, and hopefully that will be sooner than later and that's an opportunity again for our young guys to get reps and for (defensive coordinator) Mel (Tucker) and (linebackers coach) Tim (Tibesar) to move people around and see what people can do,' head coach Marc Trestman said.
| Footballguys view: Rookie LB Jonathan Bostic (Florida) took over for Williams at middle linebacker in practice Wednesday, July 31, and Bostic could win the starting job if Williams misses enough time. The competition was already in place and this tips the scales in favor of the rookie. Bostic is an instinctive Linebacker who plays with toughness when stuffing the run. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams considered week-to-week Wed Jul 31, 01:06 PM
Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (calf) suffered a calf strain during practice Wednesday, July 31, and is considered week-to-week.
| Footballguys view: Williams was added in free agency to take the place of Brian Urlacher. Without him on the field it will open the door for rookie Jon Bostic. During his college career at Florida Bostic was known for his speed and attacking mentality. He's a physical tackler with high football intelligence. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams carted off Wed Jul 31, 11:11 AM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams (undisclosed) was carted off the field Wednesday, July 31, with an undisclosed injury.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
Bears | More on D.J. Williams Mon Apr 8, 12:35 PM
Updating previous reports, Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams' deal has no guaranteed money. He'll have a $900,000 base salary with roster bonuses up to $750,000 if he is active for all 16 games.
| Footballguys view: It's the type of deal Williams was going to get no matter where he went. He had to sign a 'prove it' deal after two different suspensions last year when he was playing with the Broncos. |
D.J. Williams player page
Bears | D.J. Williams, James Anderson could start Sun Mar 24, 04:30 PM
Chicago Bears LB D.J. Williams could start at middle linebacker next season while LB James Anderson could start at strongside linebacker.
Link to storyD.J. Williams player page
James Anderson player page
Bears | Sign D.J. Williams Fri Mar 22, 02:05 PM
The Chicago Bears signed LB D.J. Williams (Broncos) to a one-year deal Friday, Mar. 22. Terms of the new contract were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Williams has played every LB spot (strongside, weakside, middle) and can be an impact player if motivated. |
D.J. Williams player page
Raiders | Could show interest in D.J. Williams Mon Mar 11, 06:04 PM
The Oakland Raiders could show interest in free-agent LB D.J. Williams (Broncos) during free agency.
| Footballguys view: The move would make sense for both sides. The Raiders are in need of help as they rebuild their LB corps this offseason. Williams knows Head Coach Dennis Allen from their days together in Denver when Allen was the Defensive Coordinator. |
D.J. Williams player page
Broncos | Release D.J. Williams Mon Mar 11, 04:49 PM
The Denver Broncos released LB D.J. Williams Monday, Mar. 11.
| Footballguys view: No surprise here. Williams missed multiple games due to two separate suspensions in 2012. He failed to play up to expectations and was replaced in the starting lineup by Wesley Woodyard. |
D.J. Williams player page
Broncos | Expected to part ways with D.J. Williams Sun Mar 3, 01:05 PM
The Denver Broncos are expected to place LB D.J. Williams on the trading block once the new league season begins. The team is expected to release him if they are not able to trade him.
| Footballguys view: No surprise here. Williams has struggled with off field issues that have lead to lengthy suspensions over the last year. He could move to Inside Linebacker, a position of need for the Broncos. However, he'd have to be willing to take a massive pay cut in order for the Broncos to keep him around. |
D.J. Williams player page