Williams ends his Saints career with just 154 carries for 470 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons with the team. He took more than 20 snaps in just four games with New Orleans last year between injuries and the rise of Kendre Miller late in the season. Williams is entering his age-30 season and could make for a reasonable backup for a team that wants a goal-line grinder to spell a back who can stay on the field on third down. The release frees up $1.59 million in cap space for the Saints, meaning they only need to find another $45 million in cuts or restructures to be cap compliant. Easy.

After Kendre Miller left the game in the second quarter with a concussion, it was Clyde Edwards-Helaire who got most of the rushing work, not Williams. However, if Miller were to be ruled out for Week 18, both Williams and Edwards-Helaire would likely split the work in the backfield, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the practice reports this week even though neither player would be recommended outside of the deepest fantasy leagues.

Williams entered the weekend questionable but is expected to play. He is the clear backup running back and should remain off fantasy radars. Saints declared QB Spencer Rattler, RB Jordan Mims, LB Jaylan Ford, OL Lucas Patrick, C Erik McCoy, WR Mason Tipton, and DT Khristian Boyd inactive for Week 13 against the Rams. Patrick and McCoy are out due to ankle and groin injuries, respectively. Their absences leave the Saints offensive line weaker against the Rams.