There's a lot to be excited about if you're a Lions fan heading into the 2023 season. However, one of the more talented young players on the roster won't make his debut for a few weeks.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams won't be in action when the Lions kick off the NFL season at Arrowhead against the Chiefs, as the second-year player out of Alabama is serving a suspension to start the year.
Williams was seen as one of the key pieces for the Detroit offense when he was selected 12th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he missed 11 games in his rookie year due to injuries, and of the six games he dressed in, he accounted for just one reception — a 41-yard touchdown — on nine targets.
The Lions are primed to take another step forward after finishing 9-8 last season and just barely missing the playoffs. The Aaron Rodgers era is over in Green Bay, and many feel as though Minnesota is set to take a step back after a 13-4 campaign in 2022. Detroit is going to need Williams to be in prime shape when he makes his return.
MORE: Explaining the NFL gambling policy
Here is everything you need to know about Williams' suspension and when he can return.
How long is Jameson Williams suspended?
The NFL originally suspended Williams for six games after he violated the league's gambling policy. However, his sentence was reduced to just four games, thanks to the NFL's new policies on gambling that were enacted after the start of the 2023 season.
Per NFL rules, the wide receiver will be able to have workouts at Detroit's facility once his suspension is halfway finished, so after Week 3.
MORE: Updated list of NFL players suspended for gambling
Why did Jameson Williams get suspended?
Williams was one of five Lions suspended for violations of the league's gambling policy. The league did not specify what exactly Williams did that violated the policy, however, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it was because he bet on college games while inside Detroit's practice facility.
From @NFLNetwork: On the major gambling suspensions this morning -- those suspended at least a year were found to have gambling on NFL games. Those suspended six games placed bets on college games but from their facility. pic.twitter.com/dzHWZst5Yz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2023
In its memo, the NFL clarified that players are not allowed to gamble on anything, including non-NFL sports, in any facility or venue that belongs to the league, or a football club.
The gambling policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.
MORE: Why NFL suspended Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season, explained
Jameson Williams gambling
Williams spoke to ESPN's Eric Woodyard in May about the gambling that resulted in a six-game suspension. The wide receiver stated that he felt "sick" and "blindsided" when hearing of the news that he'd been suspended
"I didn't know things like this was coming, but I took me some time, and I just thought about the better days and moving forward," Williams said. "It's not my last day living so I just look forward to the better days."
The 22-year-old claimed he wasn't aware of the NFL's gambling policy beforehand. He was flagged for betting on college football games on a mobile device at the team's Allen Park, Michigan, practice facility.
Williams insisted that his betting doesn't happen frequently and that he's "not a gambler," but "a football player."
At the time of his suspension, Williams' agency, Alliance Sports, commented on his suspension, stating he expressed remorse for breaking the rules but making note that the suspension stemmed for gambling on non-NFL games.
Alliance Sports confirms that its client, Jameson Williams, has been suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit.
However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed — and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes had said that the team has full confidence that Williams is going to take the right path in order to be ready when is eligible to return.
"He made a mistake, and he takes accountability of it, he knows it," Holmes said. "Yes, he is young and he understands the mistake that he made and we've had transparent, open conversations about it, but we have confidence that he's going to take the right approach, that he's going to have the right response in terms of what he needs to do."
When will Jameson Williams return from suspension?
Williams is eligible to return from suspension in Week 7 when the Lions travel to Baltimore to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
He will miss the first six games of the Lions' season, including the season opener against the Chiefs and an NFC North clash at Lambeau Field against the Packers.
Below is a look at the Lions' full schedule for the 2023 NFL season:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 7 | at Chiefs (TNF) | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | vs. Seahawks | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 4 | Sept. 28 | at Packers (TNF) | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime |
| 5 | Oct. 8 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | at Buccaneers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 8 | Oct. 30 | vs. Raiders | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 9 | BYE | |||
| 10 | Nov. 12 | at Chargers | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 23 | vs. Packers (Thanksgiving) | 12:30 p.m. | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | at Saints | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | at Bears | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 16/17 | vs. Broncos | TBD | TBD |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | at Vikings | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 17 | Dec. 30 | at Cowboys (Saturday) | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| 18 | Jan 6/7 | vs. Vikings | TBD | TBD |
