For Shaq Thompson, fellow linebacker Dorian Williams’ reputation preceded him.
The two train at the same spot in Charlotte, N.C., and a mutual trainer told Thompson about the Buffalo Bills’ third-year linebacker a while ago. Later, when Thompson ended up in Buffalo, linebackers coach Al Holcomb – who also has Charlotte ties – doubled down on the message.
“I kind of knew about Dorian,” Thompson said Tuesday. “And when I got here, Al and them were telling me about Dorian. And he kind of reminds me of myself when I was younger – just a little more faster, stronger, a little bigger.”
Thompson, an 11-year veteran, has grown close with Williams. He has a front row seat last week to watching Williams prepare – potentially to start.
Bills linebacker Matt Milano is dealing with a pectoral injury suffered Sunday against the Jets, and Milano has yet to practice last week as Buffalo gets ready to host the Miami Dolphins.
So Williams is ready for any snaps that may come his way. It’s the only way he knows how to practice.
“Man, he’s one of those guys who’s going to work,” Thompson said. “They ask him to do everything, and he plays everything, and he can do everything.
“I respect his game a lot. He flies around. He hits. And he’s a tone setter.”
Williams started 11 games for the Bills last season after Milano tore his bicep in the preseason. Even once bumped from the starting role, Williams still finished the season leading the Bills with 114 tackles.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich has seen a different level of confidence from Williams this season.
“His expectation is that he is a starter, whether he’s in or not, and his level of performance needs to be that,” Babich said Monday. “He knows that, and that’s the standard that he wants for himself. So, it’s how it’s been here the whole time. It’s how it’s been here the whole time. Next man up, and the expectation does not change. We don’t make excuses. We don’t do that.”
“The thing I’ll say about our guys is there’s a lot of pride in that room,” Babich said.
Williams says he’s comfortable if he is to start in Milano’s place. But the Bills also deploy Williams throughout games based off what they need to match the opposing offense.
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“He’s in on third down sometimes on our rush package,” defensive end Greg Rousseau said. “He’s playing linebacker in our normal base package or nickel. So, he’s done a great job. He’s a hard worker, he approaches it the right way. He’s a true pro.”
Through two games this season, between different packages and filling in for Milano in the second half against the Jets, Williams has played 48% of defensive snaps. He’s added on special teams as well, playing 76% of special-teams snaps, a career high thus far.
Williams has been praised for his physicality since he entered the league in 2023 as a third-round pick. But coaches Babich and Sean McDermott have seen his mental game evolve.
“I think, overall, it’s knowledge of the defense, understanding the nuances to playing linebacker in the NFL,” McDermott said. “So, I would say those two things for sure. Dorian’s always been a go-getter, physical. His work ethic is off the charts. And now you’re starting to see some of the fruits of his labor.”
Whether or not Milano is ready to go for Thursday, Williams is preparing the same way. He attributes his ability to squeeze lessons out of each opportunity as a testament to how the Bills’ defense prepares.
“Just how we work – how we go about our daily business, how we watch film, how we do everything,” Williams said. “You pick up little keys from everybody, the older guys, the younger guys. And you kind of just take that in there every week.
“You never know. Every week could be play one, play 100 – you never know when you have to go in, so you have to prepare the same every week.”
As he gears up for the 0-2 Dolphins, Williams is leaning on familiarity with the offense.
“I think it kind of helps playing an in-conference team like Miami,” Williams said. “Played ’em before. So, kind of knowing what they want to do.”
The Dolphins are desperate, and Williams emphasized that the Bills can’t overlook them, especially on a short week. Especially with all of Miami’s speed.
“They’re one big play away from a touchdown, one guy out of the gap from a touchdown,” Williams said. “So, just staying true to ourselves, staying true to our keys, and keeping it simple.”
Williams is flattered to hear that coaches think he could be a starter on other teams. But Williams humbly thinks it’s just a reflection of how the linebackers room goes about its daily business.
So, what does he want to prove? Williams mulls the question.
“Prove? Really, I just want to do my job,” Williams said. “I mean, I think that’s what we all want to do, is just go out there, do your job, prove that you can play in this league. And I think that’s something I can continue to grow on.”
Williams’ teammate talk louder for him, though. Thompson loves seeing Williams’ physicality up close each and every week.
“It’s amazing,” Thompson said. “If we need somebody to get going, Dorian is there to mess somebody up. And that’s what we love. … That’s a trooper to me.”
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Katherine Fitzgerald
Sports reporter
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