The four-year wide receiver has struggled with off-the-field issues this offseason. He faces misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and trespassing stemming from a December incident. Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
The brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams turned himself in to police on an outstanding warrant on Monday night, a day after police said Eric Baylor stabbed Williams in the left thigh with a kitchen knife.
Baylor, 23, of Buffalo, N.Y., faces a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/domestic violence and was held overnight with no bond by the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office. He turned himself in at 10 p.m. ET and was booked at 11:40 p.m., listing himself at 6 feet and 280 pounds, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Williams, 26, had been treated and released from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa with what was said to be a relatively minor laceration.
When police first responded, witnesses described the incident as “horseplay and an accident,” according to a report in the Tampa Tribune. But once sworn statements were taken, witnessed informed police Williams and his brother “were arguing and that led to the stabbing.” Baylor had fled the scene.
Two 911 calls from the incident were released by police, according to the Tribune.
On one of the calls, a person asked for “an ambulance and the police” and said “a man just got stabbed by his brother.”
Bucs general manager Jason Licht said the team has not been in contact with Williams.
“We’re disappointed just that we had a player in that situation that could have been seriously injured,” Licht told the Tribune. “I don’t know any other facts right now. We do want to find out how he is health-wise and also what his mindset is.”
The alleged stabbing occurred at the gated community in the northern boundary of Tampa where Williams lives.
The four-year wide receiver has struggled with off-the-field issues this offseason. He faces misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and trespassing stemming from a December incident.
Last July, the Bucs signed Williams to a six-year, $40.25 million contract.
The wide receiver played just six games last season before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. He finished with 22 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams made 52 starts in four seasons since he was Tampa Bay’s fourth-round pick out of Syracuse. He averaged 64 catches for 910 yards and eight touchdowns over his first three years with the Buccaneers.
