The NFL has officially suspended Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams for two games without pay following a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, the league announced Thursday.
The third-year speedster accepted the suspension via a statement released by representation, Alliance Sports Management, in which he described the initial news as a “complete surprise.”
“I don’t take supplements or vitamins and I am overly cautious about even taking over-the-counter medicine,” Williams’ statement read. “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. … It is disappointing to accept this suspension, and it will hurt me to be away from the team as they prepare this week.”
— Rocky Arceneaux (@Alliance_Sports) October 24, 2024
The 23-year-old wideout will be eligible for reinstatement after Detroit’s Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers. This marks the second suspension of Williams’ pro career after he was sidelined for four games in 2023 for placing a bet on a non-NFL game from an NFL facility.
Through six games this season, Williams has already posted a career-high 361 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while catching 17-of-30 targets.
“You know, we trust him a lot, like (Lions coach) Dan (Campbell) said,” Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown said of Williams. “He was out there practicing with us the past two days. … Obviously, we’re gonna miss him on game days out there on Sundays, but he’s here, he’s getting reps, mental reps, all that. It’s unfortunate that he has a two-game suspension, but I think — we all talked to him as receivers. I mean, he’s doing fine, his mental space is good. Whatever happened happened and he’s gonna move on from it and he’s handled it like a grown man.”
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(Photo: Nic Antaya / Getty Images)