Former Detroit Lions cornerback Stanley Wilson has passed away at just 40 years old. Due to injuries, his career was over early, and lately he had also been struggling with the law on and off.

Stanley Wilson Jr, former Detroit Lions cornerback, has died at just 40, the franchise confirmed to the Detroit Free Press.

According to reports, Wilson died on the way to hospital on 1 February after collapsing. The cause of death is not yet known, but according to “TMZ” there is no suspicion of foul play.

The ex-professional was previously under arrest for burglary and vandalism last August. Because he was unfit for questioning, he was to be transferred from jail to Metropolitan State Hospital when he collapsed.

Stanley Wilson: injury prevents long career

The former cornerback played collegiately at Stanford from 2001 to 2004 before being selected in the third round by the Lions in the draft. He appeared a total of 32 times, starting nine times and collecting 89 tackles.

But a torn Achilles tendon ended his fledgling career early in 2008.

Later, the son of former Cincinnati Bengals player Stanley Wilson Sr. repeatedly ran afoul of the law. Between 2016 and 2017, he was arrested a total of three times for various offences.