Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has been reinstated from gambling suspension

Hypocrisy aside, the NFL acknowledged how it botched making it clear what violated its gambling policy and what didn't. That's not necessarily an excuse for Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams getting his six-game ban, but the part of his suspension where he had to be totally away from the team ended this week. Two more games, then he could practice and play in Week 7.

Well, the NFL has revised it's gambling punishments. Per multiple reports, Williams and Titans offensive tackle Nicolas Petit-Frere will be reinstated effective Monday and eligible to play in Week 5. The punishment for betting on non-NFL sports from places that qualify as the workplace (team facility, team plane, team hotel, etc.) will only now be a two-game ban for a first violation.

So Williams will be able to practice next week, and eligible play for the Lions in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. Being on the suspended list means he is not currently occupying a spot on the 53-man roster, but there is a spot available with offensive tackle Matt Nelson going on IR.

Will?, or how much?, will Jameson Williams play in Week 5?

On the question of if Williams will play in Week 5, the default answer is "of course he will." His preseason hamstring issue is apparently no longer a thing. So it will come down to how quickly he gets ramped up in practice, but early in the week next week expect Dan Campbell to say something like "we'll see how it goes" in regard to Williams playing against the Panthers.

The bigger question is how much Williams will play in his season debut, and beyond for that matter. Some sort of snap count should be expected in his first game, but beyond that the proverbial governor should progressively come off. If he's not up to par enough, in one or multiple capacities, to play a lot that will be a concern.

Josh Reynolds is also not going anywhere as a trusted target for Jared Goff, so any mistakes Williams makes (drops, etc.) will not be easy to brush off. But Marvin Jones is not playing well this season, and rookie Antoine Green is probably not ready for a huge role. So there's room for Williams to play a noticeable role.

It's great news that Williams is reinstated sooner than originally expected, and that he could play in Week 5. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and anoint him as an immediate huge difference-maker in the Lions' offense.