Lions prepared either way with Jameson Williams' suspension on hold pending decision to appeal

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Allen Park — The reported two-game suspension incurred by Jameson Williams for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy is temporarily on hold pending the player’s decision to appeal.

Williams was informed of the punishment earlier in the week and has five days to decide whether to accept the ban or appeal the league’s decision. In the meantime, he was on the practice field on Wednesday.

Regardless of the direction he decides to go, the Lions are prepared to be without him this week against Tennessee.

“We’re prepared not to have him and it’s all good,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s going to be here, he’s helping. Until they come through with whatever’s going to happen, he’s with us, he’s part of this team, he’s helping out, and we’re good.

“…I think step one is what he’s doing right now,” Campbell said. “He’s here and he’s helping, and if he’s not able to go, then he’ll be helping on scout team, which is awesome.”

The Lions opened the season light on receivers, carrying just four on the 53-man roster, but they’re currently up to six following the additions of veterans Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson. Patrick has carved out a significant role in Detroit’s offense the past few weeks, while Robinson has seen just 10 snaps thus far. But the latter is expected to get a significant bump in work when (or if) Williams serves his suspension.

“We just went through the walkthrough, I mean, he’s going to take on a heavy load here, too,” Campbell said. “Talk about a pro, man, I mean, he’s locked in. Everything we just went through, I mean, it’s meticulous, which fires you up. So, we’re going to be good here.”

Because the suspension has yet to be announced by the league, pending the decision to appeal, Campbell was initially reluctant to comment on it Wednesday before providing a broader assessment of how Williams is perceived in the building.

“Here’s what I can tell you is I trust this kid,” Campbell said. “I trust him, and, unfortunately, you’ve got to pay for your sins. Something happens and if this comes down, then so be it, but I know this, we dangled the rope down on the way up. We can’t wait for anybody, and over a year ago he started climbing his way up and he got to us, and maybe he lost his grip, but he’ll climb back up again."

Campbell's analogy of climbing out of the hole was in clear reference to Williams' 2023 suspension for violating the league's gambling policy.

“That rope’s still there, it’s tied to us, and he’ll be just fine,” Campbell said. “He's part of this team and I trust him. …He and I have enough dialogue, enough things that have happened, I know when he tells me something, I know what it is, and that’s the best way I can say it. And so, look, this happened, it is what it is, and move on. But I do, and he’s put the work in, and he’s put his best foot forward and, like I say, he lost his grip. He’ll be back.”

Campbell also said he believes Williams has a strong support network around him with the Lions.

“I feel like he’s around his teammates a ton, and I feel like he’s really endeared himself to the guys and, like I say, he’s part of the group,” Campbell said. “I’m telling (you), he’s matured so much.

“And I get it, I understand where it’s at, and I know it can be frustrating,” Campbell continued. “Look, it’s frustrating for us. It’s frustrating because I’ve got to answer these questions and the team is going to have to answer them when they shouldn’t have to, but ultimately, he’s taken huge strides, he’s made huge strides and I recognize that, and I think the team recognizes that, so I think he’s going to come back better than he was before.”