Williams getting his feet back, a good sign for Dolphins’ offense

The Miami Dolphins pride themselves on having several weapons to take advantage of onoffense.

And one key piece of the team’ s ammunition was able to shine with several big plays ina breakout performance on Sunday.

Dolphins receiver Preston Williams may have finished with just four catches, but his 106 yards receivingwas a career high that led all players and his touch down catch in the second half was the final touch Miami needed in its 43-17 blowoutwinover the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium.

More importantly, it was the standout performance the Dolphins have longed for from their standout second yearplayer who is still recovering from a knee injury that cost him the second half of his rookie season last year.

“I’m getting closer to that [one-year] year mark with my knee, and it’s starting to get more comfortable out there,” Williams said following thegame.

“I’m just gettingmy football feet back underme.”

The Dolphins started Sunday’s game looking for Williams, and he delivered catching a 47-yardpass from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on the first play.

It marked the longest play of the Dolphins’ season before Fitzpatrick later connected with tight end Mike Gesicki on a 70-yard completion.

Taking deep shots down the fieldwas a major part of the Dolphins’ game plan in Sunday’s win.

“We just started practice, really. In practice, we took a lot of shots, and then we started preaching we were going todo,” Williams said.

“You don’t knowwho the shot is going to. Itmay go to DeVante [Parker]. It might go to Jakeem [Grant]. It might go to anybody. If your numberiscalled, youhaveto try tomake the play.”

The Dolphins took a 30-7 lead into halftime and called on Williams to make another play to put the game out of reach inthe second half.

With Fitzpatrick standing in the pocket and absorbing pressure, Williams broke free on a deep slant route in the middle of the field and caught aleaping32-yardtouchdown catch in the third quarter that turnedatwo-scoregameinto a blowout.

In addition to his two other catches, which gained 27 yards total, Williams also ran a route that caused the 49ers to incur a defensive pass interference that put the Dolphinsdownat the 3-yard line, which coach Brian Flores mentioned while praisingWilliams’ effort.

“That’s what he’s capable of. We’ve seen the athleticism and the talent. And he’sworking,” Flores said of Williams.

Williams struggled to get going as this season got underway, drawing two of the NFL’s best cornerbacks as defensive assignments in the first two games of the year as he worked his way back into form.

Williams had only two catches for 41 yards on seven targets inWeek 1with New England Patriots star and 2019 NFL defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore covering him at times, and even securing an interception against him.

Williams had only one catch for 5 yards, while Buffalo Bills star cornerback Tre’Davious White covered himinWeek 2.

Williams rebounded with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Fitzpatrick in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars but had only two catches in that game. And he followed it up with a one-catch performance against the Seattle Sea hawks last week before his outing against the49ers.

It may have been just a few more catches than he caught in games during the first month of the season, but Williams may have quieted some of the concern about how his health is progressing.

And the type of weapon he can be for the Dolphins offensemoving forward.

“I’m just trying to getback into football shape and get my feet back under me. I know earlier in the year, I was falling on some routes,” Williams said. “I’m starting to feel better everyweek.”

Added Flores: “He’s a hardworking kid and it’s important to him. I’m happy to see him have a good game likehe did [Sunday].”