Teams considering drafting talented Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams received some excellent news regarding the status of his ACL injury. University of Alabama team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain performed Williams' ACL surgery and revealed the recovery shouldn't affect his NFL career.
Per Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Cain expects Williams to be cleared within five or six months -- putting Williams on target to return by training cap in July or August. He also said the same regarding the status of fellow Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III, who is projected to go on Day 2 of the draft.
Cain noted that a team could place either receiver on an injured list until October or November due on the longer NFL schedule and the financial commitment. But Williams and Metchie are "pretty far ahead" of schedule, Cain said, and are expected to play in their rookie seasons, regardless of where they are drafted.
Williams is the second-ranked wide receiver in the draft in our CBS Sports rankings while Metchie is ranked 10th. Williams is the No. 11 overall prospect and Metchie is No. 75. Williams finished with 79 catches for 1,572 yards with 15 touchdowns (19.9 yards per catch), becoming a star at Alabama after two seasons of being buried on the depth chart at Ohio State. Metchie led the Crimson Tide with 96 catches while finishing with 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns (11.9 yards per catch).
Metchie finished with 55 catches for 916 yards and seven touchdowns (16.7 yards per catch) the year prior while playing alongside first-round picks DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Both Williams and Metchie's draft stock could improve with the encouraging progress of their knee injuries.
