Jimmy Williams suspended by NFL

   The Sports Xchange has learned that defensive back Jimmy Williams, currently a free agent, has been suspended by the NFL for at least one year for an apparent violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

   Williams was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

   For clarity purposes, this Jimmy Williams attended Virginia Tech. Another Jimmy Williams, who is also a defensive back, attended Vanderbilt and entered the league as a sixth-round pick with the Buffalo Bills in 2001. He played for San Francisco and Seattle before ending the 2008 season on injured reserve with the Houston Texans. He became an unrestricted free agent in February, and remains unsigned.

   The suspended Jimmy Williams played 12 games and started five for the Falcons in 2006, then played 14 games and started two in 2007. He had one interception in ’07. Waived by the Falcons on June 17, 2008, he was out of football until signed by the San Francisco 49ers this past January. He was waived by the 49ers on May 18.

   During the term of his suspension, Williams can sign with an NFL team, but he can’t be included in any team activities. He can talk to the team only to help with medical or rehabilitation issues that would take place away from club headquarters.