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Dan Campbell: Jameson Williams 'lost his grip' with second suspension, will climb up again

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he has not lost any faith in wide receiver Jameson Williams even as Williams waits to serve his second NFL-issued suspension in just over a year.

"Here’s what I can tell you is I trust this kid. I trust him," Campbell said Wednesday at the team facility in Allen Park. "And unfortunately, you got to pay for your sins and if something happens and if this comes down, so be it. But I know this, we’ve dangled a 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. That rope’s still there, it's tied to us and he’ll be just fine. But he’s part of this team and I trust him."

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) warm up before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) warm up before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Williams was suspended two games this week for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances.

The suspension is not official yet because Williams remains in the five-day window to file an appeal.

It's unclear if Williams plans to appeal the suspension, but Campbell said he does not expect the wide receiver to play in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Williams would also miss next week's NFC North showdown at the Green Bay Packers.

"I’m not really supposed to talk about it, but no," Campbell said. "So, we’re prepared not to have him and it’s all good. So 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, man."

If Williams misses time, Campbell said the Lions will count on other members of their high-scoring offense to pick up the slack in his absence.

Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the Lions with 39 catches and 401 yards, and the Lions have the league's fourth-ranked rushing offense at 155.5 yards per game.

Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson and Isaiah Williams are expected to move up the receiver depth chart, and Sam LaPorta could take on a bigger role at tight end.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) waves at fans to celebrates 26-20 overtime win over Los Angeles Rams as he exits the field at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) waves at fans to celebrates 26-20 overtime win over Los Angeles Rams as he exits the field at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

"This isn’t the first little bit of stuff that we’ve been hit with so we adjust, we move on, life’s good," Campbell.

Jameson Williams ranks second on the Lions with 361 yards receiving on 17 catches, second in the NFL at 21.2 yards per catch and has three touchdowns this year of 52, 70 and 37 yards.

He has emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats and is in the midst of a breakout season after a rocky start to his career.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) warms up before the Los Angeles Rams game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) warms up before the Los Angeles Rams game at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

A first-round pick out of Alabama in 2022, Williams missed 11 games as a rookie as he rehabbed from the torn ACL he suffered in his final college game. Last year, he was suspended six games to start the season — the suspension was later reduced to four games — for violating the NFL's gambling policy.

Asked why he still trusts Williams despite his troubles, Campbell declined to get into specifics but said the 23-year-old has worked hard to prove his character since last year.

"Look he and I have had enough (dialogue), enough things that have happened to I know when he tells me something, I know what it is," Campbell said. "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. "

Dave Birkett's new book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline," is available for purchase available for purchase online and at local book stores. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell: 'I trust' Lions' Jameson Williams despite 2nd suspension