Williams was able to work only minimally during minicamp and organized team activities, and as a result has fallen behind in some areas.
"This training camp is critical for that," Hostler said, "because now we've got about the same amount of reps that you'd get in an offseason program in the next three weeks. So he's got one [more] chance. He's got to be healthy, he's got to make [it through] these three weeks. And he's got to build that rapport with the quarterback.
"Once you build that, then his teammates trust him, the play-caller [Cameron] trusts him and that's when you start to become a player."
Clayton knows what Williams has been feeling.
"He's been through a lot," Clayton said. "I know that just with my little injury and having to sit out and watch, that's frustrating, and you want to get out and play again as you know you can play. I know he's excited, and he'll come out and show what he's capable of doing."
Williams was a second-round talent out of Oregon in 2006 who fell to the fourth round because of durability questions. The Ravens have been patient waiting for him to deliver.
"He's always been a very talented guy, with very good play-making ability," director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said. "He can go up and get the football, he can stretch the field, he can make plays in the red zone. We've always been very high on him. [But] we wanted him to get stronger. This is his chance this year."
Now that his ankle has healed, Williams said he believes the extra muscle will enable him to endure punishing hits and stay on the field. As a rookie, he played in all 16 regular-season games and pulled down two touchdown catches, one for 77 yards. He also scored on a 70-yard pass play last season before going on injured reserve after seven games.
So for now and for the rest of camp, Williams will try to make up for lost time, make up for Mason's absence and make his mark on a team with designs on the Super Bowl. He has spoken with Mason since the quasi-retirement announcement, but he doesn't know what Mason will do.
"A guy can go home and sleep on it and the next thing you know, he doesn't want to play anymore," Williams said. "Or he might wake up in the morning and say, 'I want to play.' You never know. It's a decision he's going to have to make and ... whatever decision he makes, we're going to be happy. If we get him back that's a great plus, and if we don't we'll understand."
Baltimore Sun reporter Edward Lee contributed to this article.
Today:
Practices at 8:45.a.m. and 3:30.p.m.
