Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams underwent knee surgery today, according to Mark Kaboly of DKPittsburghSports.com. Williams, Pittsburgh’s backup to Le’Veon Bell, could miss anywhere from two weeks to a month while recovering, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter links).
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Bell, clearly, will continue to carry the majority of the load for the Steelers, but new No. 2 back Fitzgerald Toussaint figures to assume many of Williams’ duties as the club’s reserve runner. And if Pittsburgh wants to promote a player from its practice squad, the team will have two interesting options. One is Daryl Richardson, the former Rams RB who spent the early portion of the season on the Steelers’ active roster. The other is Karlos Williams, the second-year back who recently signed on with Pittsburgh after a tumultuous offseason with the Bills.
Williams, 33, was highly effective during his two-games stint as the Steelers’ starter earlier this year, rushing for 237 yards and scoring twice while adding 10 receptions (and another touchdown) through the air. His contract with Pittsburgh is up after this year. If he misses a full month, Williams will be sidelined for the Steelers’ contests against the Cowboys, Colts, Browns, and Giants.