Before Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, John Williams had never taken a game snap at center, even during his five seasons at Cincinnati. Now, the second-year offensive lineman could make his first career start at the position on "Thursday Night Football" against the Carolina Panthers.
“I practiced it in OTAs and training camp, but never in a game, no,” said Williams, who played 58 snaps against the Lions.
The Packers were without rookie Jager Burton, who started 15 games at center at Kentucky but was a healthy scratch in Detroit. Instead, they turned to Williams after starting center Sean Rhyan and backup Jacob Monk sustained injuries during the first quarter. Williams hadn’t taken snaps at the position since the summer and exclusively lined
up at left tackle during the preseason.
“It’s a completely different position, so obviously it’s a little difficult switching between the two, but got to get it done,” Williams said.
Playing an unfamiliar position where communication is a key component is difficult. Being asked to do it in a divisional game on the road is even harder. Williams played well, though, giving up zero sacks and just one pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I can't say enough about the job John Williams did, coming in in a hostile environment and just handling the operation, the communication,” coach Matt LaFleur said postgame. “To lose two guys at center that quickly in the game, it was a little bit terrifying. But I thought he did a really good job.”
Jordan Love was also impressed by how his unlikely center adapted to the situation.
“I thought John did a great job,” Love said Tuesday, looking back on Williams’ performance. “Coming in not expecting that situation to happen with two guys going down. For a guy that hasn’t gotten a lot of reps, hasn’t taken a lot of center reps with us, it was just a great job by him being prepared, knowing the plan. Obviously, he’s making a lot of calls at center, and I thought he handled it really well, with the noise, the environment, everything.”
LaFleur wouldn’t name his starting center for Thursday’s matchup with the Panthers.
“We'll see. We're kind of working through everything right now,” LaFleur said.
Green Bay will be without Rhyan, who is expected to miss at least four weeks with a high ankle sprain. Monk also won’t be available for the next four games after being placed on injured reserve with a quad injury.
Given how well he performed on short notice, the team could stick with Williams. Whether he makes his first career start or serves as a backup, the 2025 seventh-round pick will be ready.
“Whatever they need me to do, that’s what I’m going to do,” Williams said.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: From emergency center to potential starter, Packers' John Williams is ready to go
