'22 MPH at 260 pounds': Former Cowboys' 2nd-round pick on fast track to return from injury
Around this time a year ago, Sam Williams, was getting carted off the practice field just a few days into the Dallas Cowboys' 2024 training camp. Williams had suffered a torn ACL and PCL, and just like that, his season was over before it began. Since then, the former 2022 second-round pick has gone through surgery, rehabilitation, and is now back on the field in preparation for the 2025 season.
Now entering his fourth year, and the final of his rookie deal, Williams noted to reporters that he is feeling as strong as ever and more explosive.
'I've put in the work, I feel great. Fantastic. No soreness. No aches,' Williams said after Thursday's practice. 'I'm running. I'm hitting 22 miles per hour at 260 pounds. That should tell you everything.'
The former Ole Miss Rebel, who had high hopes going into last year's camp, recorded 48 tackles, 15 for loss, 8.5 sacks, and 21 pressures during his first two seasons before injury.
Williams will now retake the field looking to add more fuel to a Cowboys' defense that saw a drop-off in production last season compared to the year prior. His physical tools and speed off the edge have been a key aspect of his game.
However, with his return comes competition for repetitions.
The Cowboys carry a deep rotation of edge rushers that features All-Pro Micah Parsons, veteran free agents Dante Fowler Jr. and Payton Turner, second-year edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland, and to top it off, Dallas used its second-round pick this season on another rusher, Donovan Ezeiruaku.
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