Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions rookie Jameson Williams texted Matthew Stafford about wearing No. 9

Jameson Williams clearly wants to endear himself to the Detroit Lions franchise and its fans, even if it isn't clear when he will be able to play his first NFL game.

So when the rookie wide receiver decided he wanted to wear Matthew Stafford's old jersey number, he reportedly texted the former Lions quarterback himself to ask if it was okay.

According to ESPN, Williams was originally going to wear No. 18 as a nod to retired wideout Calvin Johnson's No. 81,  but preferred to wear a single-digit number. Stafford set multiple franchise records during his 12-year tenure wearing No. 9 before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in January 2021.

As for Williams, the Lions are being very cautious with a timetable for the rookie's first game. Williams sustained an ACL injury during the collegiate national championship game in January, putting a disappointing end to what was a sparkling college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

The No. 12 overall pick from this year's NFL Draft has still been present at training camp, however, and has been spotted regularly carrying a football wherever he goes.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Timberwolves starter ruled out for Game 5 vs. Nuggets
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Astros starter ejected after foreign substance inspection
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season
Canucks' Nikita Zadorov takes a shot at NHL over teammate's suspension
Sports radio star Doug Gottlieb to coach college hoops while staying on the air
NFL scores big win in legal battle with ex-Raiders head coach
Astros 3B breaks out of slump in contract year
Cardinals sign second-round CB
Micah Parsons makes history with new Bleacher Report deal
Celtics assistant named candidate for Lakers HC job
Rudy Gobert fined $75,000 for gesture in Game 4