Jameson Williams Must Increase 'Strength Development' Before NFL Debut
Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams is not likely going to be an active participant out on the football field during the early portion of training camp.
“We’ll have a plan for him moving forward," head coach Dan Campbell told reporters at organized team activities. "He is going to be around here with us in the short period of time that if and when he does go home, we know where he’s going to be, and who those people are. So, we are going to have a plan for him. Now that being said, I don’t see him being ready for training camp. I don’t see that. I am very hopeful, but I don’t see it. We’re going to do this thing the right way and when he’s ready, he’ll be ready. But no, I don’t feel like you’re going to see him out there day one.”
It is understood the Lions No. 12 pick in the 2022 Draft is going to slightly behind his teammates when the regular season rolls around.
He has not been able to be out on the field to work out the finer points of route running and getting in sync with quarterback Jared Goff.
Repetition and practice will be the only avenue for Williams to catch up.
Despite being behind early in his career, the Lions are not going to jeopardize further injury by making hasty decisions.
Also, the aim is for the talented wideout to be confident and successful when the time comes to debut in the National Football League.
"Look, we want to get him out there as fast as possible, and is it crucial? It is crucial, but not until he gets his strength up," Campbell explained. "He needs a lot of strength development in that body, his lower extremities, his legs, his knees, his everything. So, until he’s able to stabilize himself, and really get some strength that we feel good about to where he can protect himself, he can protect that knee, and he can compete, and compete at a high level, we’re not going to put him out there.”
In the meantime, the coaching staff is encouraging him and keeping him involved in all aspects of the game besides playing, including watching others intently, learning in meetings and the coaching staff regularly keeping his spirits lifted by telling him just how valuable he can be in this offense.
"You've got to encourage them," wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said. "I haven't had a significant injury, but I know what it's like to miss and not be (a part of things). And you want to be a part of it. So, you just keep encouraging them and letting them know that he is a part of it. And most important, those mental reps when he's out on the field. Watching everybody else run the routes. The depth of it and those type of things. And we get in the classroom and detail it up, as much as he can get that. So, when he does get on the field and it is time to go, you know, he's unleashed and ready to go."
