Packers 2nd-Year Star Hit With NFL Punishment Before Week 10
For the Packers, one of the aspects of safety Evan Williams‘ game that has made him so effective this season has been the competitive edge with he plays–his intensity is part of the package and while it is usually nothing but a plus, there are times when a competitive nature can bleed into rules violations. In Week 9’s frustrating loss to the Panthers, the rules violation caught up to Williams.
The league announced that it was fining Williams $6,448 for an unnecessary roughness call that stemmed from his use of the helmet with 5:12 to play in the second quarter of the game.
Williams has been one of the bright spots of the Packers’ D this year, his second after being a fourth-round pick in 2024. He has an interception and with a grade of 75.8 at Pro Football Focus, is rated the No. 8 safety out of 88 in the NFL this season.
Williams can take some comfort in the fact that he was not the only one to be hit by the long arm of the NFL law in the game. Two Panthers also were fined, more significantly than Williams: star running back Rico Dowdle was hit with a $14,491 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct stemming from his use of “obscene gestures;” and Nic Scourton was fined for taunting in the third quarter of the game.
Packers Putting Panthers Loss Behind Them
While Williams will have a special memento from the NFL to remind him of that ugly Packers loss, the rest of the roster is trying to gather itself for a showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles on Monday night.
The Eagles are one of four 6-2 teams in the NFC, with the Seahawks, Rams and Buccaneers, while the Packers come in at 5-2-1.
Losing breakout star Tucker Kraft to an ACL tear will only tighten the margin of error for this team.
Packers’ Colby Wooden Slated to Play
The Packers did get some good news this week when defensive lineman Colby Wooden said he was feeling well enough to play on Monday. Wooden had been dealing with a shoulder injury going back to the Panthers loss.
He did not shy away from the motion that the Eagles are a measuring stick.
“They’re the defending champs,” he said. “They’re defending champs until someone knocks ’em off, so we gotta go in, play good ball, play complementary football, put together a complete game. Like not one half, second half, put together a complete game and come out here and get a victory.”
Eagles Will Challenge Offense
Especially under the microscope on Monday will be Jordan Love and the Packers offense. The team has been wildly inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball, taking a step back in the running game and showing too much impatience with the passing game.
That won’t do against a very tough Philadelphia front that just got better with the addition of pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips.
“It’s a big challenge. Obviously extremely talented. They just added Jaelen Phillips,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “They’re getting Brandon Graham back and we’ll see what happens with Nolan Smith. They have a really physical front, big guys, they can rush the passer, they can play the run. I think their linebackers are excellent, so yeah, they’re a really goo
“d defense. It’s going to be a great matchup. I’m excited about it just to see how we respond. Playing against a defense like that, that’s going to be very telling.”
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core, Spencer Rattler of the
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
