Notes: Tyrell Williams says his health is 95% following shoulder surgery

After a shoulder injury forced him to miss the 2020 season, newly signed Detroit Lions receiver Tyrell Williams says he’s just about back to full health.

Last week, the Lions signed Williams to a one-year deal heading into his seventh NFL season. In his introductory press conference Monday, the 29 year old explained how his injury was especially difficult in this unusual year.

“It was tough, definitely was hard to have to sit back and watch all year and especially with COVID, it just made it harder to even be around the team and be in the locker room,” he said.

Williams spent his first four years with the Chargers and one with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he tallied 42 catches for 651 yards and six touchdowns. But a torn shoulder labrum would force him to sit out the entire 2020 season. Now the receiver says fortunately, he’s almost back to full health.

“I’m probably about 95 percent—about five months out from my surgery, so I feel great. I’ve been catching passes, I’ve been running routes, doing all that stuff and getting back to my normal offseason routines. I feel good, I feel strong. I feel like if we had a game next week I’d be out there,” he said.

Williams also says he’s excited to work with his former coach—Anthony Lynn—and it was a factor in his decision to come to Detroit.

“He’s a great leader, he’s been a great coach—just being able to be around guys like that, former players that are coaches now, and being around those type of guys just is something that I really like,” he said.

Williams played under Lynn in 2017 and 2018 with the Chargers, catching 84 passes for 1,381 yards and nine touchdowns in that span. He added another reason he chose Detroit was head coach Dan Campbell’s infectious energy.

“A guy who has that much energy and is that excited and loves football that much—it’s gonna be awesome to be around that energy every day. The season can be long when you get into those Week 14, 16, so having a guy like that that keeps you motivated, keeps you energized is gonna be awesome,” he said.

Most importantly of all, Williams’ thoughts on Detroit: “The city was nice. It’s a little bit cold - I’m used to California weather, but it was still nice.”

Oh, sweet summer child, get to parka shopping.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• The Athletic’s Chris Burke takes a look at Jared Goff’s tricky contract and just how much the Lions are committed the quarterback. (Subscription required.)

• I winced as I clicked “Ranking the 20 best moments of Drew Brees’ NFL career” thinking please let Lions not be on this list.... Alas... 2011 NFC Wild Card game.

• On that same note, a former Lion made this list of 10 best retirement announcements.

• Fifteen years ago on Sunday, the Lions signed a familiar face.

• There are more pro days coming up this week. Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman offers a list of five you need to watch — and who to keep an eye on.

• How would you rank the Lions needs in free agency? The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett does just that.

• “So far, the moves Holmes has made in Detroit have been right on course for a team taking a long-term approach.” Sports Illustrated’s All Lions has more on how he believes Brad Holmes is setting Detroit up for success... in the future.

• In case you missed it, Ford Field is turning into a mass vaccination site: