Jameson

Williams

The big plays weren’t there for Williams on Thursday, as his biggest gain came on the ground rather than through the air. Williams cut an end around upfield for a 15-yard gain and excited the crowd when he hurdled over a diving Kevin Byard to pick up some extra yards. Williams’ 28 receiving yards are his fewest since Week 7. He’ll be a high-upside WR3 in Week 13’s game against the Packers.

Williams was pulled over late at night with two firearms in a vehicle driven by his brother. The weapons did not belong to Williams. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office “concluded that the warrant was denied because the case law is silent regarding the specific issue and the legislative intent of the concealed pistol license (CPL) statute does not support charges under these facts,” Woodyard reported. Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement that Williams’ status as a Lions receiver did not factor into the decision. “We did not consider that Mr. Williams is a Detroit professional athlete in our decision making,” Worthy said. Williams will suit up on Thanksgiving Day against the Bears a week after going for 64 yards on five catches against the Colts.

The seven targets were Williams’ most since Week 2. He has now eclipsed 50 yards in all three games since returning from suspension, and seen his targets creep from five to six to seven in the process. Encouraging, though he remains miles behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in the targets pecking order. Williams also has a tough, short-week Thanksgiving matchup with a Bears defense that entered Week 12 permitting the fewest receiver fantasy points before shutting down Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison, of course, did go off. Williams is an upside WR3 for Week 13.

Williams returned from his two-game suspension last week with a quiet, 53-yard outing versus the Texans. He got back in the good graces of fantasy managers this week with his first 100-yard game since Week 1. The bulk of his production came on a 63-yard play-action strike over the middle of the field from Jared Goff. Williams turned on the jets for roughly 45 YAC after reeling in the pass. Williams finished well behind Amon-Ra St. Brown in targets but reminded fantasy players of his game-breaking speed once again. He will straddle the WR2/3 border in Week 12 against the Colts.

Williams fell well behind both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta in the target pecking order amidst first half struggles, eventually making two key grabs in the second half to aid in a ferocious comeback that had the Lions snatch victory from the clutches of defeat following a 23-7 deficit at the break. Williams made the catch of the night when he snared a ball between two defenders in the fourth quarter, maintaining possession while being sandwiched between defenders in a high-low collision, a play that eventually led to a St. Brown touchdown later in the drive. Williams could find better counting stats in a Week 11 matchup with the struggling Jaguars.

Williams can resume practicing with the Lions this week and play in Week 10 when the Lions visit the Texans on Sunday Night Football on NBC. The young receiver found himself in the midst of a “gun case” while suspended and could be looking at another suspension if the league deems it necessary. For now, fantasy managers should expect to have Williams available this week and can view him as a boom-or-bust WR3.

Williams was in a car that was pulled over by police on October 8th. Two guns were found in the car, one registered to Williams’ brother, the driver of the vehicle, and one to him. Williams did not have a concealed pistol license for his firearm but his brother did. Police eventually decided against making an arrest and the two men were let go. As Pelissero notes, this situation could take a while to resolve, so it shouldn’t affect his ability to return in Week 10. He is scheduled to be reinstated from his suspension on Monday.

Williams will miss Week 8’s game against the Titans and Week 9’s game against the Packers. The third-year receiver is in the midst of his best season as a pro, having caught 17 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 21.2 YPR. Williams will be eligible to return in Week 10 when the Lions face the Texans. Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick are expected to step up in his absence, although neither receiver possesses the talent to stretch the field like Williams does.

ESPN’s wording is a little unclear, but it appears the ban will begin immediately, meaning Williams will miss games against the Titans and Packers. The third-year pro seems to have copped to the crime, telling ESPN he has “no choice but to take it on the chin.” He also said he is “in good spirits just ready to get back with my brothers ASAP soon as possible.” Williams’ snaps had been down ever so slightly the past two weeks, while his targets have been dwindling for a month. It’s fair to wonder if the Lions have known for a week or two. This is a major rupture of trust between team and player after coach Dan Campbell in particular displayed unwavering public faith in Williams following his gambling ban. It’s possible his role could be decreased upon his return, but he still does things role players like Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick can’t. Despite the headache and uncertainty, we would keep Williams around on our fantasy benches.

Per usual, the Lions’ offense ran through their ground game and Amon-Ra St. Brown this week, leaving the rest of the pass-catchers fighting for scraps. Kalif Raymond came out on top with three grabs for 39 yards and a score. Williams looked like a 1B to St. Browns’ 1A early in the year but has since regressed to No. 2 receiver usage. He has seven catches over his past two weeks. He did, however, top 80 yards from scrimmage and score two touchdowns over that stretch. Williams will fall back into the WR3 ranks for his Week 8 game against the Titans.