Eric Woodyard, ESPN
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 towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers, the league stated.
The information got here after Williams introduced that he will not attraction the league’s determination and has accepted the punishment. In a press release launched by means of his agent Rocky Arceneaux, Williams stated that “the information got here as a whole shock that I’m nonetheless making an attempt to grasp.”
— 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 medication,” Williams stated. “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 liable for all the pieces that goes into my physique and I’ve to take accountability on this occasion.”
Williams has attended Lions practices for the final two days and stated that the league notified him of the violation this week. He was additionally suspended 4 video games for violating the NFL’s playing coverage in 2023 for cell 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 harm suffered in school
Williams, the No. 12 pick of Alabama within the 2022 draft, is presently 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 stated. “It’s disappointing to just accept this suspension, and it’ll damage me to be away from the group 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 group will depend on its different receiving weapons corresponding to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Allen Robinson, Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick and tight finish Sam LaPorta to assist decide up the slack.
“I belief this child. I belief him. And sadly, you have to pay in your sins,” Campbell stated Wednesday. “If one thing occurs and this comes down, so be it. However I do know this, we dangled the rope down on the way in which up. We won’t look forward to anyone.
“And over a yr in the past, he began climbing his approach up and he obtained 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 fantastic, however he is a part of this group and I belief him.”
