Georgia star edge rusher Mykel Williams was injured during the Bulldogs’ Week 1 contest against the Clemson Tigers. What’s the latest on Williams’ status, and will he play in Georgia vs. Alabama?
What Happened to Mykel Williams?
Midway through the Bulldogs’ Week 1 contest against Clemson, Williams encountered a low block and suffered a lower left leg injury. It was later specified as an ankle injury on the official ESPN broadcast.
According to the broadcast, Williams’ left ankle was wrapped as a result of the collision. At first, it was reported that he would attempt to play through the pain, but in the fourth quarter, Williams wasn’t seen returning to the field.
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Williams’ day ultimately ended early against Clemson, but Georgia had no need to trot him out on defense and risk further injury. By the fourth quarter, Georgia was up 20-3, and they scored 14 additional points in the final quarter.
At the very least, it was a positive development that Williams’ knee appeared to not be impacted, and that he was at least considering returning to the game before ultimately being pulled out. His injury was revealed to be an ankle issue by head coach Kirby Smart.
However, Williams would go on to miss Georgia’s Week 2 game against Tennessee Tech, as well as the Bulldogs’ SEC opener in Week 3 against Kentucky. The bye week in Week 4 no doubt helped his recuperation, but Williams’ status is still unclear heading into Week 5.
According to ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel, Williams is a “true game-time decision” heading into Georgia’s major Week 5 conference clash against the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was listed as questionable throughout the week, and a concrete decision won’t come until the game is underway.
Sources: Georgia star defensive lineman Mykel Williams is a gametime decision for the No. 2 Bulldogs at No. 4 Alabama today. It’s considered a “true gametime decision” with his injured ankle. He’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 4 overall NFL Draft prospect. pic.twitter.com/egRcNvi8gS
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 28, 2024
Williams entered the 2024 college football season as a top-20 prospect on Pro Football Network’s 2025 NFL Draft Big Board. Already, he’s garnered physical comparisons to former Georgia great Travon Walker, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 class.
Here’s what Walker’s scouting report at PFN has to say about his rare physical talent:
“Williams is essentially a Create-A-Player. At 6’5″, 265 pounds with arms likely near 34″, he has an elite size profile, which he compounds with quantifiably elite explosiveness, lateral agility and twitch, and logic-defying bend capacity.”
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