NFL: RB Karlos Williams suspended at least one year

Williams looked to be a rising star as a member of the Bills in 2015

Former Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams has been suspended by the NFL for at least one year, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

The specific reasons for Williams suspension are not yet known, though Williams has been suspended by the league in recent years.

During the Bills training camp leading up to the 2016 season, Williams was flagged for a failed drug test. Buffalo released the running back after a four-game suspension was levied and because he arrived at training camp out of shape.

Pittsburgh added Williams to their practice squad in October of the same season, but another violation of the league substance abuse policy resulted in a 10-game suspension for Williams.

The Steelers released the running back in March following the 2016 season without him ever playing a single down.

A one-year suspension for Williams may ultimately lead him to be an untouchable player for NFL teams not looking to add a player with over a year’s worth of suspensions piled up.

Drafted out of Florida State in 2015 as a fifth-round selection Williams thrived behind LeSean McCoy as a short-yardage and receiving running back.

You can read our original college scouting report on Williams here.

Collecting nine total touchdowns as a rookie in 11 games, Williams’ early success was overshadowed by Todd Gurley and David Johnson.

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For a player with the potential to have a long career as a starting running back in the NFL, it’s sad to see talent thrown away. Hopefully, Williams finds the help he needs not to turn to the field, but to turn his life in a positive direction and be an example to others.