Tyrell Williams is going to be a popular man Thursday night at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Not only has the Silver and Black’s top wideout already endeared himself to fans of the Silver and Black, but after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Chargers – both San Diego and Los Angeles – Williams is sure to have no shortage of people to say hello to pregame.
“It’s definitely going to be weird, but I’m excited,” Williams said Tuesday when asked about squaring off against his old team. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’ve got a lot of friends on the team still, so I’m excited for that. It’s going to be fun.”
And while Williams was incredibly productive on game days – he recorded 155 passes for 2,530 yards and 17 touchdowns during his time in Southern California – the athletic wide receiver also understandably became very close with the defensive backs on the Chargers’ roster, but come Thursday night, he’ll need to use that knowledge to benefit his new team.
That said, it doesn’t mean that the uniqueness of the situation is lost on Williams.
“Those are guys I’ve been going against for four years,” Williams explained. “It’s going to definitely be weird having all the reps I had against them in practice for four years. It’ll be cool though. I’m excited for it.”
Williams – even with missing a pair of games due to injury – still leads the Silver and Black in receiving touchdowns (5), and ranks second on the team in receiving yards (355), and although he doesn’t boast an overly boisterous personality, he’s unquestionably grown into the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.
“I feel really good,” Williams explained. “Like I said, it’s just more getting healthy, and being able to feel more myself – because I know I can make every play – so just get back to feeling 100 percent, and I’m getting there now, so that confidence is right where I want it. I’m excited to finish off the season.”
“You know he can lineup all the way across the ball at receiver,” added Williams’ former head coach Anthony Lynn. “You know he can read coverages. He can get open. He developed into a good route runner. He developed into catching the high point of the ball down the field. You know you see him doing that more and his size. He’s a physical presence. He’s a tall receiver with speed.”
On an individual level, Thursday’s primetime clash will mean a lot to Williams, but for the Raiders as a whole, the Week 10 battle with the Chargers will likely have lasting repercussions for the respective division rivals.
Both the Raiders and the Bolts are coming off big wins in Week 9, and with an AFC West that still seems to be very much up for grabs entering the back half of the season, a big win in the division would go a long ways for whichever team handles business.
Add all that up, and Tyrell Williams is ready for the lights to go on, and get to work at the OACC.
“I’ve been kind of more excited all week, I guess, to be able to have this game,” Williams said. “I do stay pretty even keel, but I think I’ll have a lot more juice this week.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:20 PM.
Head out to Alameda, Calif. and check out photos from the Raiders' practice as they prepare for their Week 10 matchup against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers.
Raiders wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett talks with wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during practice.
Raiders assistant defensive line coach Travis Smith talks with defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during practice.
Raiders alumnus Fred Biletnikoff talks with senior offensive assistant John Morton during practice.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field during practice.
Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field during practice.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) on the field during practice.
Raiders tight ends coach Frank Smith talks with quarterback Derek Carr (4) and tight end Darren Waller (83) during practice.
Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) runs during practice.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during practice.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) passes during practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during practice.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia on the field during practice.
Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson on the field during practice.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) goes for a catch during practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Jalen Richard (30) during practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.
Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) lines up before the snap during practice.
Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) on the field during practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) goes through defensive drills during practice.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) goes through defensive drills during practice.
Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) eyes the quarterback during practice.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) goes through defensive drills during practice.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field during practice.
Raiders running back James Butler (36) and safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field during practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Terrell McClain (93) goes through defensive drills during practice.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) lines up before the snap during practice.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field during practice.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) defends during practice.
Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) defends during practice.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field during practice.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field during practice.
Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) and punter AJ Cole (6) huddle during practice.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a field goal during practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden talks with quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field during practice.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) punts during practice.
Raiders linebacker Quentin Poling (53) on the field during practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden high fives running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.
Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) on the field during practice.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) goes through offensive drills during practice.
Raiders center Erik Magnuson (62) goes through offensive drills during practice.
Raiders tackle Denzelle Good (71) goes through offensive drills during practice.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) goes through offensive drills during practice.
Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) goes through offensive drills during practice.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field during practice.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) runs after making a catch during practice.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) runs after making a catch during practice.
Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) goes up for a catch during practice.
Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock talks with alumnus Fred Biletnikoff during practice.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) runs during practice.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field during practice.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) stand on the field during practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) stands on the field during practice.
Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) blocks defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) during practice.
Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) runs during practice.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) goes up for a catch during practice.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) makes a catch during practice.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) makes a catch during practice.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) goes for a catch during practice.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during practice.
Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) stands on the field during practice.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) walks on the field during practice.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) lines up before the snap during practice.
Raiders offensive lineman Kyle Kalis (70) blocks defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) during practice.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) shakes hands with alumnus Barry Sims during practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden, alumni George Atkinson and Fred Biletnikoff stand on the field during practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden shakes hands with alumnus Steve Wisniewski during practice.
The Raiders huddle during practice.
The Raiders quarterbacks huddle during practice.
The Raiders wide receivers huddle during practice.
The Raiders defensive line huddle during practice.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) shakes hands with alumnus Fred Biletnikoff during practice.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and alumnus Steve Wisniewski walk on the field during practice.
The Raiders offensive line huddle during practice.
