Williams will be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 4 following the Lions’ Future 9 game against the Green Bay Packers, the league said.
The scoop came when Williams announced that he will not appeal the league’s resolution and approved the punishment. In a comment through his agent Rocky Arceneaux, Williams mentioned that “the news came as a complete surprise that I’m still trying to understand.”
-Rocky Arceneaux (@Alliance_Sports) October 24, 2024
“I don’t take supplements or vitamins and I’m overly cautious even when taking over-the-counter medications,” Williams mentioned. “At no time have I taken anything in an attempt to cheat or seek an unfair advantage. I understand that I am responsible for everything that goes into my body and I have to take responsibility in this case.”
Williams attended Lions practices the past two days and said the league notified him of the violation last year. He was also suspended four games for violating the NFL’s 2023 gambling policy for placing a mobile bet on non-NFL games from a club. He also missed the first 11 games of his rookie season due to ACL trauma he suffered in school.
Williams, the wrong one. Alabama’s 12th overall pick in the 2022 draft, he currently ranks second on the Lions in both receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (3).
“I have nothing but love and respect for this game, my teammates, coaches, the Lions organization and the city of Detroit,” Williams said. “It’s 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 for my teammates, this will be the last time I address this matter.”
Although Williams’ career is off to a bumpy start, Lions senior mentor Dan Campbell says he still has faith Williams can develop from this incident. The team will rely on its alternative receiving weapons such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Allen Robinson, Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick and tight end Sam LaPorta to help pick up the slack.
“I trust this guy. I trust him. And unfortunately, you have to pay for your sins,” Campbell said Wednesday. “If something happens and this thing goes down, so be it. But I know, we hung the rope on the way up. We can’t wait for anyone.
“And more than a generation ago, it started climbing and it was handed over to us. And maybe it lost its grip, but it will climb back up. That rope is still there. It’s attached to us, and it will be just great, but it’s part of this team and I accept it sincerely.”
