While the Detroit Lions have spent parts of the last few years looking for a No. 2 wide receiver who can take some of the pressure off Amon-Ra St. Brown, former No. 12 overall pick Jameson Williams has filled that void by coming into his own at the beginning of the 2024 season.
Williams has game-breaking speed, and he's helped give the Lions' offense a degree of verticality that has served them well. Unfortunately, Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson may need to make some alternate gameplans for the next few games. Williams appears to have broken some NFL rules.
Williams has been suspended two games for a violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy. At this point, it remains unclear as to what exactly Williams tested positive for. Nevertheless, he will be deactivated for the next couple of games.
Williams' camp has released a statement in which he proclaimed he "has no choice but to take it on the chin" before adding that he is "ready to get back with my brothers ASAP." The next two games for Detroit come against a solid Tennessee Titans defense and the hated rival Green Bay Packers.
Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances (PES) policy, sources told ESPN’s @E_Woodyard. pic.twitter.com/1XfOqZyAUs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2024
Lions WR Jameson Williams suspended two games for substance violation
In just six games this season, Williams has caught 17 passes for 361 yards (over 21 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. Those 361 yards have already eclipsed all of the production he had last year, showing that tangible improvements in his overall game as a receiver have been made.
In the short-term, expect Kalif Raymond to receive an uptick in both snaps and targets from Jared Goff. Former Broncos receiver Tim Patrick has made a few plays in his time with the Lions, and he could be next up. Allen Robinson is also knocking around if Detroit wants to dig even deeper.
This is disappointing, as it blunts all the momentum Williams had coming off a 5-1 start to the campaign. The Lions may survive without him, but it's still not ideal to see a long-term cornerstone get sucked into nonsense like this.