:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61486635/usa_today_10394706.0.jpg)
You might recall that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams was arrested on public intoxication charges. That was back in May, but it seems like the incident is rearing its head in the middle of the Cowboys season.
Late Thursday night the Dallas Morning News reported that Williams is facing what would be best described as a looming suspension. The severity, or the date which it will be enacted, are both unknown.
Sources: Cowboys WR Terrance Williams faces suspension stemming from May arrest for public intoxication https://t.co/3RmwQOllim via @sportsdaydfw
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) September 21, 2018
This is obviously not ideal for any member of the Dallas Cowboys, but it does offer an explanation as to what we’ve seen happening lately. Dallas brought back wide receiver Brice Butler this week and that gave them seven players at the position. Many wondered why the Cowboys would go so heavy there, an expected suspension to one of the group’s more tenured members would make a lot of sense.
The exact details of the suspension are still unknown, all that is known is that a suspension is likely to come at some point and a speculative range of games. From the DMN:
There’s an anticipation that the impending suspension for the Cowboys receiver will fall in the range of two to four games, sources said. Since no decision has been rendered at this stage -- a source said the NFL has yet to notify Williams of a ruling in writing -- it’s unlikely any action will be taken before the Cowboys face Seattle this weekend.
It stands to reason that the Cowboys have been expecting this move for some time, the addition of Butler only corroborates that idea. What’s more is that it’s not like the Cowboys have been using Williams all that much on this young season.
While the Cowboys did bring in a bunch of new faces at wide receiver, they still have yet to really feature Williams much at all. The wide receiver snap counts so far this season:
- Cole Beasley - 73
- Allen Hurns - 65
- Michael Gallup - 54
- Deonte Thompson - 53
- Terrance Williams - 29
- Tavon Austin - 28
It would be hard to miss Williams if/when he’s suspended if he wasn’t being used that much before that happened, wouldn’t it? Maybe the Cowboys are hip to this idea, maybe not, but either way it looks like they’ll be without Williams for some time starting fairly soon.