Jameson Williams’ NFL career has been a rocky road.
The Detroit Lions wide receiver missed the first 11 games of his rookie season due to an ACL injury.
GettyWilliams is enjoying the best season of his career[/caption]
He was then suspended for four games after violating the league’s gambling policy in his sophomore year.
Williams is now facing another spell on the sidelines with a looming two-game suspension for violating rules concerning performance-enhancing substances, per ESPN.
The third-year wideout is enjoying his best season in the NFL so far.
He is second on the Lions in both receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (3) – behind Amon-Ra St. Brown – and his explosive big-play ability is crucial to the high octane offense.
“I’m in good spirits just ready to get back with [my] brothers ASAP,” Williams told ESPN.
Head coach Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket that he is unable to comment further until NFL bosses announce the decision.
“All I can tell you is we’re prepared to not have him,” he said. “And we’ll be fine.”
The Lions are 5-1 after handing the Minnesota Vikings a first loss of the season on Sunday in a 31-29 thriller on the road.
Williams earned minus four yards on his one target and his pending suspension is set to hand teammate Tim Patrick a chance to impress.
The 30-year-old was released by the Denver Broncos after missing two consecutive seasons.
GettyGoff is set to lose his No. 2 target[/caption]
GettyPatrick has overcome years of injury hell[/caption]
Patrick sat out in 2022 due to a torn left ACL and suffered the same injury in his other leg when preparing to return in 2023.
He joined the Lions’ practice squad in August and was promoted to the active roster on September 24.
After showing flashes of potential in Denver, the veteran now has a chance he can put years of bad luck behind him.
In five games with the Lions, Patrick has caught 10 of 12 targets for an impressive 165 yards.
“Huge, huge play to get us going there on that first third down last week,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said after Patrick hauled in a 42 yard catch against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Where we said going into the game, ‘Hey, if we get a one-on-one with you, we’re going to throw it up and you need to come down and make a play.’ And sure enough, he did it.”
The Lions are all about mentality under Campbell – and Patrick fits the mold.
“He’s a pro,” said the head coach. “The way he prepares, the way he works, type of teammate he is, the athlete that he is.
“Man, he’s long, he’s got catch radius, he blocks downfield, he’s got good hands, good, strong hands. He brings a different element to us in the receiver room.
“He brings something we don’t have, which is music to your ears if you’re kind of building an offense. It just gives you a different type of weapon.
“And then he fits right in with our guys. I mean, he’s just — he’s all-in. He’s got no problem doing dirty work.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff we’re asking him to do this week. Every week, we put more on his plate. We’re asking him to do a lot mentally and physically, which is a good thing.”
Patrick’s incorporation into the offense may be speeded up if Williams is out for the game against Tennessee Titans on Monday.
He could add yet another threat to Jared Goff‘s slick offense as the Lions hunt a Super Bowl title.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio – join us on Sunday from 6pm on talkSPORT2 for New York Jets visit to the New England Patriots
