Garrett Williams’ updated injury status ahead of Albany

Redshirt freshman cornerback Garrett Williams started both games for the Orange this season. But Williams, Syracuse football’s top returning defensive back from the 2020 roster, didn’t play a full four quarters in either of them.

In SU’s Week 1 win over Ohio, he bagged four tackles before missing part of the second half with cramps. Last week, Williams led the Orange with eight tackles before limping off the field not long into the third quarter.

His injury status is unknown. What is, though, is the importance of keeping No. 8 on the field and healthy in the Orange secondary.

“We had one of our better players not out on the football field,” head coach Dino Babers said after the Week 2 loss. “He’s very involved in special teams as well, so not only did it affect our defense but it affected our special teams.”

Williams, who led the ACC with 12 passes defended last season, filled in several roles for the Orange on Saturday. Playing the opposite position spot from freshman Duce Chestnut, Williams often lines up across from the opposing team’s top receiver.

“When he comes out of the game you can see the difference,” Chestnut said. “When he’s in the game you can see him making plays.”

And if his impact doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, Chestnut said the Harrisburg, North Carolina native pushes his teammates to be their best. The two ran through drills together on the Dome’s turf before the Week 2 matchup.

“We always stay out there, watch film, get some extra work on the field,” Chestnut said. “We just want to be better.”

Now 1-1, SU will play the Albany Great Danes at home on Saturday. Williams met with the media Tuesday but did not say whether he’d be on the field for the upcoming game.

“I’m going to keep working with my trainers and we’ll see what happens,” Williams said.

On Monday, Babers praised the defense’s performance against Rutgers. As for the team’s star defensive back, he expects to see him back on the field this weekend.

“Garrett’s one of those guys that’s extremely tough,” Babers said. “He has an old-school mentality about him, and he is all team first. If he can go, he’ll go. So, I expect him out there, and that’s the truthful answer.”