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Lions Dan Campbell still has faith in WR Jameson Williams who could face another suspension

ALLEN PARK — Lions coach Dan Campbell continues to stand behind wide receiver Jameson Williams who faces a possible third NFL suspension.

“For me, I judge people over what’s in their heart. I know what this kid is made of and he’s worth hanging with and so he’s going to learn from this. He’s going to grow, he’ll be better for all of this,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday.

Williams is under a two-game suspension – he won’t play on Sunday at Green Bay – for violating the League’s drug policy. Now he faces possible suspension for gun-related charges.

The team released a statement on Tuesday: “Jameson made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th. We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know. We understand he was released without incident or citation. It was now our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the matter. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.’’

Campbell said the details that Williams shared match up with the police account. The coach said he knows it doesn’t look good.

“I get that. But at the same token it kind of all came on here at the same time and it’s really decision-making for him. He knows he can be better, don’t put yourself in those situations,’’ Campbell said. “He’s going to learn from this, grow from it, we’ve talked about it. I still think there’s been a ton of growth out of this player.’’

Without Williams, the Lions (6-1) beat the Titans 52-14 on Sunday. So far this season Williams has 17 catches for 361 yards and three touchdowns.

“You’d rather not be dealing with it and you don’t want the players to deal with it, by the same token, I really do feel like for us and the players it’s a little bit of a non-issue,’’ Campbell said. “He’s not here, he’s in the building, he’s doing what he can but we didn’t have him last week. We’re prepared not to have him this week. That’s how we roll really no different than unfortunately a guy who’s injured. He’s not going to play, he’s going to be out. We’re about the guys who are going to play and getting them ready to go. We don’t bat an eye. How are those guys going to help us win the next game? I do feel that’s where we’re at as a team … I don’t feel like this is a big distraction.’’

Campbell said he will continue to coach him up and teach him, instilling in him that life is different in the NFL.

“You have to understand you’re looked at different and you’re viewed different. Anybody else out there something happens, nobody knows about it,’’ Campbell said. “They’re looking. Any little thing can turn into a huge thing. You have to do your best to stay out of those situations where something like this doesn’t come up.’’

Williams, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, was suspended at the start of the 2023 season by the NFL for gambling.

Six Lions score TDs, as Detroit rolls over Titans 52-14, improves record to 6-1

DETROIT — It didn’t matter that the Tennessee Titans had only managed one win, the Detroit Lions were primed for a battle on Sunday. When it was over — heck even at the half — there was no doubt the Lions were not overlooking the Titans (1-6).

In the end, it was a solid 52-14 butt-kicking on Sunday at Ford Field. It’s the first time since 1956, the Lions have started a season 6-1.

“We did come out to fight and that’s what we expect. I felt that we were going to be ready and it’s like I told them, that’s what champions do,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “You come out, you don’t care what time of day it is, what the records are, what the surface is, you come out and handle your business and we did that.’’

Six different players scored touchdowns. Jared Goff threw for just 85 yards and three touchdowns. “I’ll take it,’’ Goff said.

Special teams was huge with a Kalif Raymond punt return for a touchdown and other solid returns. And the defense came up with huge plays.

“We did not play our cleanest ball, we really didn’t. However when you have four takeaways on defense and you’re 5-for-5 in the red zone and you have the returns that our special teams unit had – punt return and kick return – you can get a lot of production, things sway your way,’’ Campbell said.

The coach regularly talks about complementary football with all three units playing key roles. That’s exactly what happened against the Titans.

Detroit was not looking to break franchise records, Campbell had them prepared to fight and win.

“It’s really just about the one that’s in front of us. I don’t feel like we’re going for the next record. We’re just playing ball, we’re trying to play as clean as we can, we’re trying to be as productive as we can,’’ Campbell said. “The players they’re urgent about it, accountable to it and they want more.’’

Five of the reasons the Lions won:

ONE: Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator, is the best in the business. The Titans had only won one game, but their defense had played well. Obviously Johnson just picked it apart. He didn’t need Jared Goff to be a superhero, he had plenty of options and used them. Backup QB Hendon Hooker got valuable playing experience in the fourth quarter. Six different players scored touchdowns. “Ben, he can draw up anything for anybody. He puts us in the best position every week. It’s so cool he’ll talk about something over and over in a week and coverages and what we’re expecting. You get to the game and it’s like this is exactly what he said it’s going to be,’’ WR/returner Kalif Raymond said. Detroit was without WR Jameson Williams, who was suspended by the NFL, but they have enough depth on offense to score 52 points without him.

TWO: Can’t imagine that many teams have had better field position all day. Kahil Dorsey had a 72-yard kickoff return and Kalif Raymond had 5 punt returns for 190 yards including a 90-yard touchdown return. Those short drives set up well for the Lions and they made the most of them, going 5-of-5 in the red zone. Give special teams coordinator Dave Fipp a game ball too. He had his group ready like he always does.

THREE: Campbell pointed out early in the week that turnovers had been an issue for the Titans. The Lions took advantage of that weakness. QB Mason Rudolph was intercepted twice in the first half. And in the second half two Titans’ fumbles were recovered by the Lions. Detroit has had 10 takeaways in the last three games. Campbell said it’s something they emphasize by doing a takeaway circuit everyday in practice. “The interceptions will come and if the ball carrier is loose with it naturally those will, but the ones you have to work on are the punchouts — the attention to it, find it, locate it,hit it, get it out, grabbing the front of the ball, pulling, stripping,’’ Campbell said, adding it’s contagious. Kerby Joseph and Trevor Nowaske intercepted quarterback Mason Rudolph while Amik Robertsn forced a fumble that was recovered by Carlton Davis in the third. Then in the fourth, Robertson again forced a fumble which was recovered by Isaiah Thomas.

FOUR: Running back Jahmyr Gibbs broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown scamper early in the game and he was just getting started. He and David Montgomery continued to work their rushing magic. They finished with a combined 160 rushing yards. As an added dimension, Montgomery threw a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta late in the first half to give the Lions a 35-14 edge at the half. Goff said they’d been working on that play for a few years and it was the right time to use it. Montgomery also opened the scoring on a 7-yard rushing touchdown.

FIVE: The Lions banged-up defense hung in there after they got off to a bit of a slow start. The game was tied 14-14 early in the second quarter and then they held the Titans scoreless the rest of the way. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez injured an ankle early and could not return. Like his linebacker teammates he’s a Swiss Army knife kind of guy and was missed. The defense came up with a huge goal-line stand late in the first half. They still miss Aidan Hutchinson and could definitely use some pass rush help before next Sunday. (Hutchinson was watching the game from a Ford Field suite and got the biggest applause of the day when he was shown on the jumbo-tron.)

UP NEXT: Detroit Lions (6-1) at Green Bay Packers (5-2), 4:25 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3.

Lions Dan Campbell emphasizes his trust in WR Jameson Williams who faces 2nd NFL suspension

ALLEN PARK — Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams appears to be facing his second NFL suspension, but coach Dan Campbell trusts him. That is key moving forward.

While the suspension isn’t official yet, ESPN reported that he is to be suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substance policy.

Campbell was not allowed to talk specifics about the situation while it’s under appeal.

“Here’s what I can tell you, I trust this kid, I trust him. Unfortunately you have to pay for your sins if something happens and this comes down, so be it,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday.

“I know this, we dangled the rope down on the way up, we can’t wait for anybody. Over a year ago he started climbing his way up and got to us. Maybe he lost his grip, but he’ll climb back up again, that rope is still there, it’s tied to us and he’ll be just fine. He’s part of this team and I trust him,’’ the coach added.

Williams was suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the gambling policy at the start of the 2023 season. It was reduced to four games when the rule was changed. So this is not his first rodeo.

“There’s enough things, he and I have had enough dialect about things that have happened. When he tells me something I know what it is, that’s the best way I can say it,’’ Campbell said. “This happened, it is what it is and move on. He’s put the work in, he put his best foot forward and, like I say, he lost his grip. He’ll be back.’’

Williams practiced on Wednesday. He’s had a solid start in the first six games with three touchdowns and 17 catches for 361 yards – an average of 21.2 yards per catch.

“We’re prepared not to have him and it’s all good. He’s going to be here, he’s helping. Until they come through with whatever is going to happen he’s with us, he’s part of this team, he’s helping out and we’re good,’’ Campbell said.

The Lions have plenty of depth at the position. Campbell mentioned Allen Robinson could get more work and they could bring up Isaiah Williams from the practice squad.

“This is the first little bit of stuff we’ve been hit with so we adjust, move on, life’s good,’’ Campbell said.

The Lions (5-1) are at home against the Titans (1-5) on Sunday. The next week they play a key division game at Green Bay (5-2).