ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The NFL formally introduced Thursday that Detroit Lions vast receiver Jameson Williams is suspended for 2 video games with out pay for violating the NFL’s coverage on performance-enhancing substances.
Williams can be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 4 following the Lions’ Week 9 recreation in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, the league mentioned.
The information got here after Williams introduced that he will not enchantment the league’s choice and has accepted the punishment. In a press release launched by means of his agent Rocky Arceneaux, Williams mentioned that “the information got here as a whole shock that I’m nonetheless attempting to know.”
— Rocky Arceneaux (@Alliance_Sports) October 24, 2024
“I do not take dietary supplements or nutritional vitamins and I’m overly cautious about even taking over-the-counter drugs,” Williams mentioned. “At no time have I ever taken one thing in an try and cheat or search for an unfair benefit. I perceive that I’m chargeable for every thing that goes into my physique and I’ve to take accountability on this occasion.”
Williams has attended Lions practices for the previous two days and mentioned that the league notified him of the violation this week. He was additionally suspended for 4 video games for violating the NFL’s playing coverage in 2023 for cellular betting on non-NFL video games from a membership facility. He additionally missed the primary 11 video games of his rookie season due to an ACL damage suffered in faculty
Williams, the No. 12 select of Alabama within the 2022 draft, is second on the Lions in each receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (3).
“I’ve nothing however love and respect for this recreation, my teammates, coaches, the Lions group and the Metropolis of Detroit,” Williams mentioned. “It’s disappointing to simply accept this suspension, and it’ll harm me to be away from the crew as they put together this week. So out of respect to my teammates, this would be the final time I deal with this matter.”
Though Williams’ profession has gotten off to a bumpy begin, Lions head coach Dan Campbell says he nonetheless has religion that Williams can develop from this incident. The crew will depend on its different receiving weapons similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Allen Robinson, Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick and tight finish Sam LaPorta to assist choose up the slack.
“I belief this child. I belief him. And sadly, you have to pay in your sins,” Campbell mentioned Wednesday. “If one thing occurs and this comes down, so be it. However I do know this, we dangled the rope down on the best way up. We won’t watch for anyone.
“And over a yr in the past, he began climbing his manner up and he bought to us. And perhaps he misplaced his grip, however he’ll climb again up once more. That rope’s nonetheless there. It is tied to us, and he’ll be simply effective, however he is a part of this crew and I belief him.”
Following Thursday’s apply, St. Brown echoed Campbell’s sentiments concerning the crew sustaining belief in Williams regardless of the newest suspension. St. Brown mentioned the crew will miss his velocity and explosive potential on recreation days, and he described the scenario as being “unlucky,” however the receivers room has labored to maintain him in spirit.
“All of us talked to him as receivers. He is doing effective, his psychological house … he is good,” St. Brown mentioned. “No matter occurred, occurred, and he is gonna transfer on from it and he is dealt with it like a grown man.”
On Monday night time, Williams mentioned he was dissatisfied with the present suspension however that he has “no alternative however to take it on the chin.”
“I am in good spirits simply able to get again with [my] brothers ASAP,” Williams informed ESPN by way of textual content.
