Is Jameson Williams playing this week? Updates on Lions' WR return from suspension
The rich are set to get richer heading into Week 10.
Jameson Williams is set to make his return to the field for the Lions following a two-game suspension. Detroit's offense has been humming along all season long, making offensive coordinator Ben Johnson the subject of head coach speculation with every vacancy that opens up.
With so much talent across the board, Johnson's group is the highest scoring team in the league, averaging 32.3 points per game. Williams' ability to take the top off the defense can open things up even more for a Lions group that looks nearly impossible to slow down.
Already riding a six-game winning streak, Detroit sits alone at 7-1 atop a surprisingly competitive NFC North. With their blend of finesse and toughness, no defense will want to get in their way. Here's the latest on Williams' return to the lineup and why he was out in the first place.
Is Jameson Williams playing this week?
After a two game suspension, Williams will play in Week 10 when the Lions battle the Texans on "Sunday Night Football."
It's been a rocky ride for the receiver's young NFL career, plagued by injury and now multiple suspensions. Regardless, Williams has been a breakout star for the Lions and will be a big boost to already what is arguably the league's best offense.
Detroit didn't skip a beat without the 23-year-old, going 2-0 with a win over the rival Packers and a dominating 38-point victory over the Titans. However, Williams brings game-breaking speed to the field and has taken a big step forward in 2024. For the fantasy football community, the receiver continues to be a boom-or-bust candidate at best.
Fans eager to see him back on the field might want to avoid celebrating for too long, however. There could be some concern in the future for Williams because of an investigation for a concealed firearm found during a traffic stop in October.
Officers discovered he did not have a concealed pistol license, which could lead the discipline at some point. While he will be available for Week 10, the future is a little less clear. For now, Detroit will enjoy fielding an offense at full strength.
Why was Jameson Williams suspended?
Williams was suspended in 2024 for two games after violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy. The punishment came as a surprise to the young receiver, who maintained that as a complete surprise, expressing that he's very careful about monitoring what goes into his body. He dropped the appeal and opted to sit out the two games.
Williams has struggled to stay on the field during his three NFL seasons. His rookie year was plagued by his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in college. His sophomore season was marred by a four-game suspension to start the year after Williams violated the NFL's gambling policy.
The receiver didn't bet on NFL games, but he was punished for placing wagers on non-NFL events from inside the Lions' 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.
Jameson Williams stats
Through six games in 2024, Williams has already posted a multiple career-highs with 361 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Williams has hauled in 17 of 30 targets and is well on his way to finishing his breakout season strong if he can remain on the field.
The receiver's 2023 season finished with him posting 354 receiving yards, two touchdowns and 24 catches on 42 targets. The No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL draft came into the league with plenty of hype, but that suffered thanks to injury and the off-field troubles. Williams' on-field impact, however, makes it clearly worth the price of admission for the Lions.