Tag: NFL suspension

Lions Jameson Williams ready to go after serving 2-game suspension

ALLEN PARK — Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not be working himself back into the game after serving a two-game NFL suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. He’ll be dropped back into action like he was never gone.

Williams will be on the field at the Houston Texans on Sunday night.

“Honestly, we’re throwing him back in there, he’s going,’’ coach Dan Campbell said, making a kicking motion from the podium. “Let’s go. We’re going to kick him out there with the offense and get him going. I expect him to be ready to roll.’’

Williams can’t wait. He watched both games he missed with his brother at his house.

“I was just thinking I can’t wait until I get back out there with the guys, I missed the guys and missed practicing, I didn’t have too much to do,’’ Williams said on Wednesday.

He was able to be at the practice facility, work out and attend meetings. But he couldn’t practice, travel or attend games.

“I was staying really close to my closest people. I’ve got closest people who checked on me a lot and made sure I was OK,’’ Williams said.

He has the unwavering support from Campbell.

“It means a lot, that’s my head coach. I’ve been through a lot playing under him. We’ve bumped heads in certain situations but now I see his faith in me and he understands what happened and things like that,’’ Williams said. “It’s big to me, him having faith in me and being along with me in those situations.’’

It was his second suspension in two years. The NFL also sat him down at the beginning of the 2023 season for gambling.

Like Campbell, his teammates have not given up on him.

“We’re a team, they’re my brothers. They knew what really was going on, they knew what really happened. It wasn’t looking at it from the outside in, like most people were,’’ Williams said. “When your brother’s down you have to pick them up just like I do for anybody else when they’re down. I’d say that’s the main thing, it’s the brotherhood.’’

In the first six games, the wide receiver had 17 catches for 361 yards (21.2 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He also ran four times for 32 yards.

The Lions (7-1) won both games without him and remain atop the NFC North.

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.

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).