Williams isn't all the way back just yet. He can work in individual and installation periods but has to sit out team drills. The hope is he'll be fully cleared by the time the Panthers head to Spartanburg in late July. Where he'll line up when he gets there is another question.

In his 40 games since the Panthers made him a fourth-round pick in 2015, Williams has spent the bulk of his time at right tackle. But that spot now seems earmarked for Taylor Moton, who impressed there last season. With second-round pick Greg Little the favorite at left tackle, Williams' best route to playing time appears to be at left guard. So the final stages of his comeback include getting comfortable in a new role.

"I think at guard you don't have to kick back as much. In the run game, I feel like it's a little tougher," Williams said. "But at the end of the day, we're all linemen. So whatever happens, I'm just going to give it my all."