RB Trayveon Williams had less than a week to prepare for Lions debut

DETROIT — Detroit Lions running back Trayveon Williams took the handoff, read the leverage offensive lineman Melvin Priestly had on Washington Commanders defensive tackle Ricky Barber, cut back, then exploded through a hole near midfield for a gain of 14 yards.

Then Williams turned toward the sideline and watched as running backs coach Tashard Choice, along with star playmakers Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams, hyped him up.

"I could see T. Choice and J over there pretty lit," Williams said Aug. 22, after the Lionsbeat the Commanders in a preseason meeting. "That's the type of thing you like, man. When you come into a place, when you come into a new place, you've got to earn everybody's respect. … It's a good feeling to look over there and see them lit."

Trayveon had Jah and Coach Choice hyped#ForTheCellypic.twitter.com/wj6OlofFgW

Williams, 28, was signed by the Lions on Aug. 16, and he saw only four non-walkthrough practices in Detroit before appearing in the Aug. 22 preseason win, in which he totaled a team-high 60 yards from scrimmage and scored what ultimately proved to be the difference-making touchdown. He also impressed with a 24-yard reception on a screen pass that came a handful of plays before he found the end zone.

Quickly acclimating to a new situation is nothing new for Williams, who last year signed with the Cleveland Browns four days before their preseason opener. He went on to total 43 yards on seven touches in that exhibition.

"Football is football. … It was a lot of learning, a lot of late nights sitting up and learning," Williams said. "I had to teach myself pretty fast, get caught up to speed. But I feel like as a pro, that's your job. Coming into Year 8, you have no excuse. No matter what the opportunity is, you've got to be able to be prepared for it."

Williams was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He remained with the Bengals for six seasons, recording 307 rushing yards on 62 carries over 68 appearances. He also caught 15 passes for 74 yards, and he contributed as a kick returner, notching 33 returns for 743 yards.

The Bengals moved on from Williams after 2024. He split time in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers (three appearances) and Browns (four). He was without a team until the Lions came calling earlier this month, offering him a chance after Kye Robichaux injured his foot.

"They told me they'd give me that opportunity to compete, and today showed that," Williams said. "(I) didn't take a lot of reps throughout the week, but they told me I'd be able to get an opportunity to go out there and perform on game day. … It's a league of opportunities. I feel like, no matter how they come, you've got to take advantage of them. Because if you don't, somebody else will."

To Williams' point, he wasn't the only running back to play well against the Commanders. Jacob Saylors (32 rushing yards), Raheem Blackshear (29 yards) and Jabari Small (16 yards) each had moments, making the race for depth spots on Detroit's roster feel "very interesting right now," Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki are all but locked in as Detroit's top three running backs, and Saylors is in prime position to be next at the position, should the Lions keep a fourth RB on their initial 53-man unit.

Beyond that, there could be at least one or two spots for a running back available on the practice squad.

Williams, with his performance versus the Commanders, is firmly in the mix.

"Just thankful that the opportunity was there," Williams said, "and I feel like I took advantage of it."

rsilva@detroitnews.com

@rich_silva18

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: RB Trayveon Williams had less than a week to prepare for Lions debut