Trayveon Williams News

Williams closed out the 2022 season as Cincinnati's kick returner. He's likely to reprise that role in 2023 and could also see an uptick in usage on offense as a depth option in the backfield behind Joe Mixon and Chris Evans.

Williams suited up for each of Cincinnati's final seven regular-season games and all three playoff matchups, but he operated primarily on special teams when Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine were healthy. Perine is expected to sign with Denver soon, so barring any additional moves, Williams could have an elevated role in 2023. Williams was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2019 Draft and has totaled 47 rushing attempts for 238 yards and secured eight of 10 targets for 64 receiving yards over the past three seasons (23 appearances).

Williams was active for the Bengals' final seven games of the regular season, but he didn't receive any touches on offense over the last three of those contests while Cincinnati had both of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine available out of the backfield. The Texas A&M product has, however, overtaken Chris Evans as Cincinnati's kickoff returner. Williams brought back two kickoffs for 48 yards against Baltimore to bring his average up to 22.3 yards per runback over 16 attempts during the regular season.

Williams was still involved on special teams, returning two kicks for 27 yards, but he took a step back from the previous week when he was more involved against the Titans. If Joe Mixon returns as expected this week, Williams might be relegated to special teams only duty.

Williams is clearly behind both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon when both are healthy, but he's also clearly ahead of Chris Evans should the opportunity arise.

With lead back Joe Mixon (concussion) having been ruled out for the Week 12 contest, Williams and Chris Evans are poised to serve as depth options behind Samaje Perine, who is expected to step into the starting role. Perine will most likely dominate the snaps and touches out of the backfield, though perhaps not to the extent of Mixon, who played at least two-thirds of the Bengals' offensive plays in every game until Week 11, when he exited in the first half of a win over the Steelers after sustaining the concussion. Mixon's absence should pave the way for Evans and Williams to both have roles on offense, all be it as change-of-pace options behind Perine. Evans likely represents a better bet to relieve Perine on passing downs, while Williams could sub in for Perine in short-yardage or more obvious running situations. Williams suited up for just the second time all season in the win over Pittsburgh, carrying two times for seven yards while failing to secure his only target.