Jameson Williams has been a dynamic receiver for the Detroit Lions since the team made him a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
That said, Williams has had trouble staying on the field consistently for the Lions. Those issues aren’t entirely injury related.
Williams missed most of his rookie year in 2022 while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered at Alabama. In the two seasons since, the 23-year-old has largely stayed healthy but missed time due to suspensions.
Williams has been suspended for a total of six games since the start of the 2023 NFL season. He is now facing more potential trouble stemming from a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
Here’s what to know about Williams’ history of suspensions and off-the-field issues from his NFL career to date.
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Jameson Williams gambling suspension
Williams first found himself in trouble during his NFL career when he was among five players – and four Lions – suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Williams was dealt a six-game suspension on April 21, 2023, for placing bets on college sporting events from inside the Lions’ practice facility. While NFL personnel are permitted to bet on non-NFL events, they are not permitted to do so in any club or league facility, per the NFL’s gambling policy.
Williams eventually had his suspension reduced from six games to four and missed the start of the 2023 NFL season because of it. He returned in Week 5 and played the next 12 games consecutively before sitting out Detroit’s Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Jameson Williams PED suspension
Williams was suspended a second time during the 2024 NFL season for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substance (PES) policy, which is also known as the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Drug (PED) policy.
The NFL announced Williams’ suspension on Oct 24, 2023. He received a two-game suspension for violating the PES policy, indicating he had tested positive for a ‘Stimulant, Diuretic, or Masking Agent.’ That category carries the lowest-level penalty until the NFL and NFLPA’s jointly developed policy.
NFL players are subject to random testing for these substances and can be asked to provide as many as 24 blood or urine tests per year. Players who produce a positive test are subject to discipline, and any player who refuses to appear for required testing or doesn’t cooperate fully with the collection process is also considered to be in violation of the policy.
Williams accepted the suspension but said it ‘came as a complete surprise that I am still trying to understand.’
‘This week I was notified by the NFL that I have been suspended for a violation of the Performance Enhancing Substances Policy,’ Williams said in a statement shared on social media by his agent, Rocky Arceneaux. ‘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 missed the Lions’ Week 8 win over the Tennessee Titans because of the suspension and is due to be out for the team’s crucial Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers as well.
Jameson Williams gun incident
On Oct. 29, 2024 – just five days after Williams was suspended for violating the NFL’s PES policy – the Lions wide-out became the subject of a police investigation, according to a report from WXYZ Channel 7.
Specifically, police are investigating why Williams was not arrested after being found with a concealed weapon in his car during a traffic stop.
Williams was riding in a car driven by his brother after midnight on Oct. 8, 2024, when they were pulled over for speeding, Channel 7 reports. Williams’ brother told the police officer during the stop that there were two guns in the vehicle – one registered to him and one registered to the Lions receiver.
However, unlike his brother, Williams did not have a concealed pistol license (CPL) for his weapon. The officers then told Williams he would be taken into custody for carrying a concealed weapon.
Body cam footage revealed that Williams told the officers, ‘I play for the Lions, bro.’ The officers still cuffed him and placed him in a patrol car while a supervisor was brought to the scene.
Eventually, Williams was released without being arrested and had the gun returned to him. This came after the supervising sergeant who arrived made phone calls with higher-ranking officials upon recognizing Williams.
‘You’re a (expletive) hero. Thank you so much,’ the sergeant is heard saying on the footage obtained by Channel 7.
Originally, no police report was filed because of the incident. But amid the Detroit Police Department’s investigation into the matter, it submitted a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for Williams. He may now face a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle, per WXYZ.
The Lions provided Channel 7 with a statement making it clear they were aware about Williams’ traffic stop and were in touch with the NFL regarding it.
‘Jameson made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th. We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know,’ the Lions said. ‘We understand he was released without incident or citation. It is now our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the matter. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.’
That said, the NFL typically waits until the legal process is complete before enacting discipline against its players. As such, Williams doesn’t seem likely to face a suspension from the matter during the 2024 NFL season.