Dan Campbell isn't supposed to say much, but still said plenty. With Jameson Williams facing another suspension, Campbell firmly backed the team's third-year wide receiver.
Williams, per ESPN, is being suspended two games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, a year after he was suspended four games for violating its gambling policy. While Campbell can't directly comment on the matter until an official ruling comes down from the league, he did say Wednesday that the Lions are "prepared not to have him and it’s all good."
"Until they come through with whatever’s going to happen, he’s with us, he’s part of this team, he’s helping out and we’re good," Campbell said.
It's unclear exactly what substance caused Williams to get flagged, but the length of his suspension suggests a relatively minor offense. Still, he will have missed six games over the past two seasons for his own mistakes. Asked how Williams, 23, rebuilds trust with the organization, Campbell said that "step one is what he’s doing right now. He’s here and he’s helping, and if he’s not able to go, then he’ll be helping on scout team, which is awesome."
"Here’s what I can tell you," Campbell said. "I trust this kid. I trust him. And unfortunately, you’ve got to pay for your sins. If this comes down, then so be it, but I know this: We dangled the rope down on (his) 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. He's part of this team and I trust him.”
Campbell said that his trust in Williams stems from the "dialogue" they've shared in the past and the fact that Williams lives up to his word.
"Enough things have happened, I know when he tells me something, I know what it is. That’s the best way I can say it. But I do (trust him). He’s put the work in and he’s put his best foot forward and, like I say, he lost his grip. He’ll be back.”
Asked if Williams has a sufficient support system around him to avoid another misstep in the future, Campbell said, "He’s around his teammates a ton and I feel like he’s really endeared himself to the guys and, like I say, he’s part of the group. Yeah, I do."
“He’s matured so much," said Campbell. "I get it, I understand where it’s at and I know it can be frustrating. Look, it’s frustrating for us. It’s frustrating because I’ve got to answer these questions and the team is going to have to answer them when they shouldn’t have to. But ultimately, he’s taken huge strides and I recognize that, and I think the team recognizes that.
"I think he’s going to come back better than he was before.”