Diminished WR Terrance Williams misses practice, picks odd time to take personal day

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams was absent from practice Friday because of what sources called a personal day.

It’s certainly an odd time for Williams to take a personal day, considering the struggles of the Cowboys offense heading into Sunday’s must-win game against the Detroit Lions.

Williams has just two catches for 18 yards in the first three games and played in just 39 snaps, which is just 21.9% of the 178 snaps for the Cowboys offense. The majority of the snaps came on running downs. He is not on the field when the Cowboys go to three and four-receiver sets.

Williams’ role could diminish further with the recent addition of Brice Butler to the receiver corps and a looming suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Butler was inactive last week but could see action against the Lions and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the team plans to shorten the rotation at receiver after liberally using six at the position through the first three games.

The NFL is considering suspending him up to four games for a car accident in May and an arrest for public intoxication.

Williams has the highest cap figure any receiver on the team at $4.75 million and his base salary for 2018 $3.5 million.