Williams is set to be suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances policy, according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. It has not yet been reported what substance Williams used that violated the league’s protocols.
Williams was also suspended for six games at the start of the 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy when he made bets on sports at the Lions’ facility – though not on NFL games – but the suspension was eventually reduced when the league changed its policy. He missed the first four games of the season.
There is little doubt about the talent that Williams has after the Lions selected him in the first round in the 2022 NFL draft out of Alabama, but the speedy wide receiver has struggled to stay on the field thus far.
He only appeared in six games in his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered at Alabama and then had a choppy start to his second year following the gambling suspension.
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His third year has been far and away his best with 361 yards receiving and three touchdowns already, but now his progress will be temporarily halted while he serves his suspension.
Williams is set to miss the Lions’ games against the Tennessee Titans at home this weekend as well as a crucial division game on the road against the Green Bay Packers the week after.
The Lions have been relying on Williams much more this season after letting wide receiver Josh Reynolds walk in the offseason, opening up a role for Williams as the true No. 2 receiver.
In his absence, the Lions will be looking for more from Kalif Raymond and recent addition Tim Patrick, plus obviously anything else Amon-Ra St. Brown can offer. But no one on the team can stretch the field like Williams can.