Ottawa Redblacks running back Devonte Williams (31) runs with the ball during first half CFL football action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Ottawa on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. The Redblacks will start the 2024 season without American running back Williams, who recently had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon suffered during off-season training.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Redblacks will start the 2024 season without American running back Devonte Williams.
The CFL club announced Thursday that Williams recently had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon suffered during off-season training.
The Redblacks added the operation was successful but didn’t say when the injury occurred or provide a timeline for Williams’ return.
Given the nature of the injury, it’s unlikely the five-foot-nine, 170-pound Williams will play in 2024.
Williams, 27, ran for 1002 yards and averaged 5.5-yards per carry in 15 games last year with Ottawa.
Williams has spent the last two seasons with the Redblacks, rushing for 1,456 yards on 272 carries (5.4-yard average) with three touchdowns in 23 regular-season contests.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2024.
