Lions' Jameson Williams accepts two-game suspension that 'came as a complete surprise'

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Jameson Williams breakout has been temporarily put on hold.

Following an ESPN report Monday that said the Lions receiver was facing a two-game suspension for violating the league's Performance-Enhancing Substances (PES) policy, Williams released a statement through his agency Thursday acknowledging the news and accepting his punishment.

"This week I was notified by the NFL that I have been suspended for a violation of the Performance Enhancing Substances Policy," wrote Williams, who practiced Wednesday and Thursday. "The news came as a complete surprise that I am still trying to understand. I don't take supplements or vitamins and I am overly cautious about even taking over-the-counter medicine. At no time have I ever taken something in an attempt to cheat or look for an unfair advantage.

"I understand I am responsible for everything that goes into my body and I have to take accountability for this instance. I have nothing but love and respect for this game, my teammates, my coaches, the Lions organization and the City of Detroit. It is disappointing to accept this suspension, and it will hurt me to be away from the team as they prepare this week. So out of respect to my teammates, this will be the last time I address this matter."

It's the second suspension of Williams' career, which began as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The former Alabama standout and St. Louis native served a four-game ban last season for violating the league's gambling policy; Williams placed a non-NFL wager while at a team venue, which can include anything from the practice facility to the stadium to the team hotel on road trips.

The suspension in 2023 was originally for six games, but it was reduced to four.

Williams is in the midst of his best professional season, so far catching 17 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns in six games. His alluring speed makes him one of the NFL's most dynamic players, as he's averaging the second-most yards per catch (21.2) in the league, behind only Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce (25.3).

All three of Williams' scores this season have been explosive plays, coming from 37, 52 and 70 yards.

"Not really," teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown said Thursday when asked if the suspension is a distraction. "I don't think the distraction really comes into this locker room. I feel like it's more outside this locker room, a distraction for maybe the fans and things like that.

"But for us, Jameson has been here. It feels like normal. He's out there practicing and running routes, but it's just the only thing is we can't use him or he can't be on our team these next two Sundays. Other than that, it's been normal. Like I said, we're going to miss him these next two weeks but I'm excited to see the other guys step in."

Williams missed the first 11 games of his rookie season while he recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in the national championship game against Georgia in January 2022. Williams had four catches for 65 yards in that contest before the injury occurred with more than 12 minutes to go in the second quarter.

In 15 games with the Crimson Tide in the 2021 season, Williams led the SEC in receiving yards (1,572), receiving touchdowns (15) and yards per reception (19.9). That production intrigued Lions general manager Brad Holmes enough to trade up for him, exchanging picks Nos. 32, 34 and 66 for Nos. 12 and 46.

Including the playoffs, Williams has appeared in 27 of a possible 43 games in his career, though the first 11 of those absences were out of his control while he recovered from the ACL injury. Since the gambling suspension, Williams has only missed one game — a Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 while he dealt with an ankle injury.

The Lions have averaged 28.6 points and 403.4 yards per game with Williams in the lineup since he was drafted. They average 25.7 points and 369.9 yards without him.

"I trust this kid," head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday. "I trust him. Unfortunately, you’ve got to pay for your sins. Something happens and if this comes down, then so be it. But I know this, we dangle the rope down. On the way up, we can’t wait for anybody. Over a year ago, he started climbing his way up and he 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. He’ll be just fine. But he's part of this team, and I trust him.”

Real hype began surrounding Williams during this year's training camp, where he showed off a notable rapport with quarterback Jared Goff. That connection was shown off in the season opener, when Williams brought down a 52-yard touchdown in a win over the Los Angeles Rams.

The suspension doesn't have to put an end to Williams' breakout campaign, but it's a hiccup that'll keep him sidelined against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8 and at the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. He'll be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 4.