Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams could face third NFL suspension after gun incident

Posted by Admin October 30, 2024 NFL

Twice-suspended Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams could face further NFL discipline after a warrant was requested for his arrest on a gun charge.

Under the NFL personal conduct policy, players are subject to possible suspension for conduct including “illegal possession of a gun or other weapon (such as explosives, toxic substances, and the like), or possession of a gun or other weapon in any workplace setting.”

A criminal conviction is not required for any league discipline, according to the policy.

Williams, the Lions’ third-year receiver, was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for speeding Oct. 8.

According to WXYZ-TV, officers found two guns in the car at the time of the stop. One gun was registered to Williams’ brother, the driver, and the other to Williams. Williams did not have a concealed pistol license to carry the weapon.

Neither brother was arrested at the time of the incident, but Williams was briefly handcuffed and detained.

Last week, the Detroit Police Department submitted a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle, according to WXYZ.

The NFL typically monitors developments in cases like this, but does not usually issue discipline until the matter is resolved legally.

“The Lions promptly notified the league upon learning of the matter,” the league said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”

Williams, who ranks second on the Lions with 361 yards receiving, is currently serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. He missed last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans, and is eligible to return Nov. 4 after the Lions’ game this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

A first-round pick out of Alabama in 2022, Williams also served a six-game suspension (later reduced to four) to start last season for violating the NFL’s gambling policy by placing bets on non-NFL games from the team facility.

He missed most of his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in his final college game.

Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed his faith in Williams last week, insisting, “I trust this kid.” Campbell was aware of the gun incident – though a warrant had not been sought for Williams’ arrest – at the time.

“I trust him,” Campbell said last week. “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.”

In a statement, the Lions said Tuesday that Williams “made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8^th.”

“We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know,” the statement continued. “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.”

Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline” from noon-2 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Troy Sports Card Show. Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.