On Monday night, ESPN’s Detroit Lions beat reporter Eric Woodyard reported that Lions third-year wide receiver Jameson Williams is receiving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
While Williams has said that he has “no choice but to take the suspension on the chin” and is looking forward to getting back with the team as soon as possible, the NFL has not officially announced the suspension. Traditionally, a PES/PED violation constitutes a minimum of a four-game suspension. Being that Williams is reportedly only receiving a two-game suspension, it points to the usage of a stimulant, diuretic, masking agent, or even failing to get an exemption for prescription medication.
All signs point to the suspension not being appealed, as head coach Dan Campbell appeared on The Rich Eisen Show today and stated that the team is prepared to play without him. The NFL typically moves fast on their suspensions, making the delay in the announcement seem a bit odd. The thought is that Williams will miss Sunday’s contest vs. the Tennessee Titans and a critical NFC North matchup in Green Bay against the Packers. However, should the NFL continue their delay in making the suspension official, the Lions could be without their WR2 for the Packers and their Week 10 game on the road against the Houston Texans- a much more challenging series of games.
The Lions’ roster is loaded with talent in all skill positions. However, the team will miss Williams’s intangibles, particularly on longer plays where the speedy receiver always seems to lead the way with blocks, regardless of when the suspension officially begins.
💻 Dan Campbell
The @Lions head coach talked about how beastly David Montgomery has been this season and told us what he knows about the reported suspension of Jameson Williams:#NFL #OnePride pic.twitter.com/I1WLSUtlNR
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) October 22, 2024