Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams got off to a hot start in the 2024 NFL season. However, he’s been sidelined for the last two games due to a suspension. Will Williams be able to play tonight when the Lions face the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football? Let’s examine whether the third-year receiver will suit up for the highly anticipated Week 10 matchup.
What Happened to Jameson Williams?
Following the Lions’ Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, Williams was suspended two games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 23-year-old opted not to appeal the suspension but questioned the NFL’s decision in a statement through his agent, Rocky Arceneaux.
“The news came as a complete surprise that I am still trying to understand,” Williams said in the statement.
“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 that I am responsible for everything that goes into my body, and I have to take accountability in this instance.”
Williams added: “I have nothing but love and respect for this game, my teammates, 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.”
Williams, who also served a four-game gambling suspension in 2023, is dealing with another off-field problem unrelated to his PED ban.
On Oct. 8, Williams and his brother were pulled over for speeding in the Detroit area. During the traffic stop, officers discovered two firearms — one under Williams’ seat, the other in the backseat and registered to Williams’ brother.
Williams didn’t have a concealed pistol license. He eventually was uncuffed and allowed to leave the scene, but the Detroit Police Department later said it was investigating the incident, including how it was handled by the officers on scene.
“The Lions promptly notified the league upon learning of the matter,” the NFL said in a statement after news of the incident became public in late October. “We have no further comment at this time.”
Whether Williams will face discipline over the incident remains to be seen, but the situation isn’t expected to impact his availability in Week 10.
Is Williams Playing in Week 10?
Williams was officially reinstated on Monday, Nov. 4. And barring an unforeseen change, the Alabama product will be on the field against the Texans in Week 10.
“We’re throwing him back in there,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “He’s going, you know? We’re (kicking motion). Let’s go. So, we’re going to kick him out there with the offense and get him going, man. I expect him to be ready to roll.”
Jameson Williams is reinstated and his suspension is over. Dan Campbell used a kicking motion to say how the Lions plan to get him going right away.
"We're gonna kick him out there with the offense and get him going. I expect him to be ready to roll," he said. pic.twitter.com/JeanSTLzMN
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 4, 2024
Last week, Campbell was asked about Williams’ concerning off-field track record.
“I judge people over what’s in their heart, and I know what this kid’s made of, and he’s worth hanging with,” Campbell told reporters. “So, he’s going to learn from this, he’s going to grow, he’ll be better for all of this.
“You just continue to coach him up on it, teach him, and let him know. It’s a different environment, and you have to understand that you’re looked at different, and you’re viewed different. Anybody else out there, if something happens, nobody even knows about it. It doesn’t — whereas they’re looking, and any little thing can turn into a huge thing here.”
Campbell believes Williams learned a valuable lesson from the two-game suspension.
“I think any time you don’t get to play this game, I think you’ll always reflect and it just helps you to look at it [from a] different vantage point,” Campbell said. “Because it hurts, it hurts not to play, and when you don’t have anybody to blame but yourself, it makes you look at yourself a little bit harder. And so, he’ll be fine, I really believe that, and I do believe he’ll learn from it. I mean, he was just out there today, in our walkthrough we had. He’s locked and ready to go, so I think he’s going to come right out of this on top.”
How Will Williams’ Return Impact the Lions’ Offense?
Despite missing the last two games, Williams is still on track for a career season.
In the first six contests, he racked up 17 catches for 361 yards and three touchdowns, both of which are career-bests. Williams was starting to look like the explosive downfield threat the Lions thought they were getting when they used a first-round pick on him in 2022.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff spoke to reporters about Williams’ importance to Detroit’s offense.
“He’s a weapon and we know that and teams around the league know that,” Goff said. “So, he’s a guy that they’ll certainly be planning for and will help us in a ton of ways, not just catching the ball but with blocking and all the other stuff that he can do. So yeah, we’ll see how we can get him involved this week and get him back out there.”
But there’s undeniable boom-or-bust in Williams’ game.
He topped 76 yards in four of his first six games, including a 121-yard effort in the season opener. However, Williams had a 52-yard catch in Week 1, a 50-yard catch in Week 2, and a 70-yard catch in Week 4. He also had one catch for nine yards in Week 3 and one reception for -4 yards in Week 7.
Moving forward, Williams will look to provide more consistency while not just being a home-run threat.
Jameson Williams this season (5 games):
16rec
365yds
3td
22.8 yds/rElite pic.twitter.com/215nUdLoBJ
— 𝓪𝓵𝓮𝔁 💫 (@GibbsForSix) October 14, 2024
Regardless, Detroit’s offense might not even need Williams.
The Lions lead the league in scoring while ranking seventh in yards per game and sixth in rushing yards per game. Detroit currently owns the fourth-best Pro Football Network Offense+ metric grade (B+), and Goff owns the fifth-best PFN QB+ metric grade (B+). The Lions also rank seventh in PFN’s Defense+ metric.
Detroit is well-rounded and well-coached. Adding Williams back into the fold will make the Lions even better, provided he can stay out of trouble and stay on the field.