Lions’ Dan Campbell Says Jameson Williams’ Return Date Is Uncertain after Early Reinstatement

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has revealed wide receiver Jameson Williams' timeline to return.

The sophomore's status for Week 5's game, at home to Carolina, is still uncertain after only returning to practice Monday following his suspension for gambling. Until now, Williams had been barred from the Lions' practice facility as part of the punishment.

"If he does play, he can’t play 60 plays," Campbell said Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "That’s not smart. So we can’t do that to him. So we’ll see where it goes."

Williams was suspended for six games at the start of the season for betting on a non-NFL game inside an NFL facility. However, recent changes to the NFL's sports betting policy cut his suspension down to four games.

The new sports betting policy, which the NFL and NFLPA agreed on and announced last Friday, increases punishments for players who bet on NFL games, but lessened punishments for those who bet on non-NFL games.

Williams' shortened suspension length means that he can return as early as Sunday, when the Lions take on the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 5.Per the Free Press, Campbell said last week that Williams was healthy and then clarified Monday the team need "to see where he's at with football" before he returns to the field.

Campbell added that if Williams plays, he will probably be in a supporting role for his season debut.

"We’re going to get the depth out of you and we can count on you to be where you’re supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there. That’s it," he said.

"I’m not looking for yards, I’m not looking for explosives, not looking for touchdowns. Man, just be a reliable receiver, like any of those guys in the room. That’s it. And to me, that’s a good year."

Williams was selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, 12th overall. Williams transferred to Alabama two years at Ohio State, and had a standout season with the Crimson Tide, getting 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Williams tore his ACL in the 2022 National Championship against Georgia. The injury affected his first season with the Lions: After going on the reserve list in August, Williams did not return to Lions practice until late November, and made his NFL debut in December.

The Lions are currently 3-1 and holding strong at the top of the NFC North. Detroit has not won its division since 1993 (back when the team was part of the NFC Central), but looks on track to have one of its most successful seasons in decades.