Tyrell Williams wanted to start his career with the Raiders on the right foot, but a plantar fasciitis injury plagued him throughout the 2019 season.
General Manager Mike Mayock and Head Coach Jon Gruden signed Williams last offseason intending to make him the Raiders' WR2 for years to come. Despite his injury, Williams managed to fight through the pain and start in 12 games, totaling 42 receptions, 651 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.
Plantar fasciitis injuries can linger without a specific timetable for recovery, but a restful offseason has Williams feeling back to full strength and ready to hit the 2020 season in stride.
"I feel good coming into this season, compared to how I was feeling last year with my feet and everything," Williams told reporters Wednesday. "I feel a lot better, feel 100 percent. I'm excited and feel fast, I feel back to myself. I'm glad to feel that way finally and kind of be passed that."
The trouble with foot injuries is that there isn't one treatment that necessarily works better than the rest, and as cliche, as it sounds, time is the ultimate remedy. Williams' gradual return to being 100 percent started toward the end of last season, but he's unable to pinpoint exactly what he did to relieve the pain.
"It took a while, took a pretty long time into the offseason to finally start feeling better," he said. "With the virus, I was able to take more time off, which was helpful. I do a lot of daily maintenance stuff before and after practice to make sure that it doesn't come back. Just trying to find different things — I don't know what it was that finally got me over the hump. I've tried a million different things and now I'm trying to add whatever feels good, so I can keep [my foot healthy]."
Head out to Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center for an exclusive look at the Raiders first practice with helmets during 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
A Las Vegas Raiders helmet on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jordan Roos (60) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier's (85) helmet on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kamaal Seymour (63) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard John Simpson (76) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) and kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) huddles the team on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive line coach Tom Cable and the offensive line on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tanner Muse (55) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) and running back Devontae Booker (34) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Madre Harper (43) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (49) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) and tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83), tight ends coach Frank Smith and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden huddles the team on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders helmets on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73), defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (91), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90), defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97), defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) and defensive end Kendal Vickers (78) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
On top of the distractions of training camp last year, the Raiders experienced a game of musical chairs at the wide receiver position. Round and round, GM Mike Mayock did his best to surround Derek Carr with playmakers at wideout. Williams showed last year he's capable of bearing the load of a WR1, but the inconsistency around him caused the offense to suffer.
"I don't think I really felt a lot of pressure," Williams said when asked about the struggles of last year. "I think it was more of a group, we didn't have an identity with everything that was going on. We had a lot of people coming and going, and now we have a good core group."
Williams' health will undeniably play a role in his success going forward, but his improved chemistry with Carr will be a major contributing factor to his impact this season. It's rare to see a first-year quarterback-wide receiver tandem in lockstep from the jump. Gruden's receivers might have the same route trees, but every player has their tendencies, and entering Year Two, Carr and Williams have a good understanding of one another.
"We've definitely grown," Williams says. "I think he understands how I run routes and I understand what he's looking for on certain coverages. He just has a better feel of how I move and it's easier for him, I think that's the biggest thing. Being a long-striding guy, I'm fast, but I don't really look too fast, so getting used to that for him is big."
Williams might not be the featured receiver on offense, but he's a vital piece of Gruden's unit and his absence last season was felt. If the 28-year-old can remain healthy this season, the Raiders boast one of the best offenses on paper, we'll see how it translates on the field in 2020.
