No, Jameson Williams won't be able to receive medical treatment from the Lions while he's barred from the team facility for the first half of his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy.
GM Brad Holmes said Friday that the Lions "can't have any contact" with Williams, on site or off site, until he's allowed back in the building in Week 4 -- even as Williams recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered toward the end of training camp.
Instead, the Lions communicated a rehabilitation plan to Williams and his agent before the former 12th overall pick was officially placed on the NFL's suspended list Tuesday. It's up to Williams to stick to it.
"Had good communication with Jameson and his agent before the deadline," Holmes said. "Obviously can’t have any contact with him (now), but they have a good plan in place for him while he’s recovering from his injury. That six-week suspension sounds daunting, but after three weeks he’s going to be allowed to come back in the building and we can re-acclimate him there."
The Lions are counting on Williams to play a big role in their offense when he's eligible to return in Week 7. Until then, Holmes said his expectations for the second-year receiver are simple: "The expectation is just for him to handle everything that the plan is set out to do within those three weeks. I have confidence that he will."
As for what Williams might be capable of when he returns, Holmes said he has too much "respect for the future" to predict a certain number of catches or yards.
"But we hope that he has an impact for us when he’s able to join the team," said Holmes.