Maxx Williams Maintaining Upbeat In Return Process

The optimism from the Cardinals' longest-tenured tight end also extended to being realistic about his injury.

“I won’t be the first guy to come back from a bad knee and I won’t be the last, so for me, it’s just another thing to overcome, take it day-by-day, and to have fun with,” Williams said.

Williams' day-by-day motto regarding his rehab is what he considers the reason he has been able to keep his upbeat mentality through the 11-month rehab process. 

Williams said he focused on his rehab and would return home to his newborn baby. His five-month-old baby helped preoccupy him through the offseason and take his mind off the game.

The process has led Williams to be “ahead of schedule” according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury. When camp began, Williams started off on the physically unable to perform list. but was taken off the list last week.

“We kind of got to the point of the rehab where I needed to go see if I can play football,” Williams said.

Although he hasn’t participated in a large amount of practice reps, Williams is back on the field with his fellow teammates while still taking the process a step at a time.

“We’re in no rush, we still have two weeks of camp left [and] a couple preseason games,” Williams said. “It’s a long time till September, so I’m going to take things day- by-day and see how we go.”

The Cardinals open up their preseason play on Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Williams' status on game day is still up in the air. For the tight end he said, he is just focusing on progressing each day.

He added that he does hope he will be ready by Week 1 but stated he wants to be smart about his return.

“I don’t want to rush anything…and all of a sudden things are going bad quick and then I look like an idiot come Week 2 and all of a sudden I’m sitting on the bench because I wasn’t ready.” Williams said.

What it means to be ready to play is different for every player. Williams enters his eighth year with plenty of football experience, enough that his preparation is less about getting preseason reps and more about getting his mind right for the football season, he said.

Williams' positive demeanor has already been noticed by rookie tight end Trey McBride, who said that Williams has helped him primarily in the run game and film. The rookie still admitted that Williams is a bit of a "goofball."

Whether Williams is optimistic, upbeat, positive, or a goofball, the tight end is determined to enjoy his time in the NFL, whether it's on the field or rehabbing. 

"I’m still in the NFL, I’m still playing a kid's game for fun for my job," Williams said. "Injuries happen, but I’m still here, still working hard, and still having fun.”