Lions' Williams expects to return from torn ACL at training camp

New Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams can't wait to get back on the field - and he might return earlier than many expect.

"I've just been doing ... regular movements. Just getting back to it," he said after being drafted, according to John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated. "But I should be ready to go at training camp."

The Lions selected Williams, who suffered a torn ACL in January, 12th overall Thursday after trading up with the Minnesota Vikings. He was the fourth wide receiver off the board.

Three unnamed teams expect Williams to begin the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently reported. Players who start the season on the PUP list have to remain sidelined for at least the first six weeks of the campaign.

Training camps are set to start in July this year, roughly two months before the regular season.

Williams put on a show during his junior campaign at Alabama last year, racking up 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns on 79 receptions. Many experts considered him the top wideout in the 2022 NFL Draft before he sustained the knee injury in the national championship game against Georgia.

The 21-year-old says he would've probably set the fastest time "ever" in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine this year if it weren't for the ailment.

"I'm excited to join the offense," Williams said. "I feel like we can do pretty big things. We got (receivers) Amon-Ra (St. Brown), D.J. (Chark), which in addition to the running back game, I just feel like we could do a lot of things."

Detroit also took Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 pick Thursday.

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