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Ronnie Bell Ronnie Bell Headed to Detroit
Tue, Jan 21, 2025, 6:51 PM
The Lions signed Bell to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Bell played in nine of the 49ers' first 11 games of the 2024 regular season, logging two catches (on six targets) for 22 yards in the process. He was waived by San Francisco on Nov. 30, and while he was signed to the Niners' practice squad three days later, he was not elevated to the active roster for the rest of the campaign. The 2023 seventh-round pick will be on the Lions' 90-man roster at the start of the new league year, and he'll use the offseason to work with the coaching staff to give himself the best shot at earning a spot on Detroit's 53-man roster for the 2025 season. |
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Tom Kennedy Tom Kennedy Inks new deal with Detroit
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 3:48 PM
The Lions signed Kennedy to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Analysis: The Bryant product will remain in Detroit after spending his 2024 campaign between the Lions' practice squad and active roster. Kennedy appeared in four regular-season games for the Lions this season, failing to haul in his only target while also tallying 167 kick-return yards and nine punt-return yards. He's likely to compete for a reserve role in the Lions' wide receiver corps throughout the offseason. |
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Jake Fromm Jake Fromm Sticks around in Detroit
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 3:41 PM
The Lions signed Fromm to a reserve/future contract Monday.
Analysis: Fromm spent his 2024 campaign with the Lions' practice squad after failing to make the active roster in late August, and he's expected to remain in Detroit after inking a reserve/future deal with the team Monday. The Georgia product's most recent in-game NFL action came in 2021 with the Giants, throwing for 210 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions over three contests. He's expected to compete for a depth role in Detroit's QB room as the offseason progresses. |
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Sione Vaki Sione Vaki Sees limited use in rookie season
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 7:23 AM
Vaki appeared in 16 of the Lions' 17 games during the regular season, finishing with six carries for 14 yards and three catches for 37 yards. He was also active for the Lions' 45-31 divisional-round loss to the Commanders on Saturday, playing all 24 of his snaps on special teams.
Analysis: Though Vaki excelled at both safety and running during his time in college at Utah, the Lions drafted him in the fourth round of April's draft with the intention of making him a full-time running back. He saw limited action on offense as a rookie while Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery took on the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield, but Vaki's established himself as a core member of Detroit's special-teams units. In addition to returning two kickoffs for 55 yards, Vaki recorded eight tackles over his 310 special-teams snaps. With both Gibbs and Montgomery under contract for 2025, Vaki's role on offense may not expand dramatically in his second NFL season. |
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Tim Patrick Tim Patrick One catch in loss
Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 11:41 AM
Patrick caught one of four targets for 22 yards in Saturday's 45-31 NFC divisional-round playoff loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Patrick garnered his highest amount of targets since Week 15, but he failed to have much of an impact against Washington. The wide receiver signed with the Lions in late September, appearing in 16 regular-season contests as well as Saturday's playoff loss. Patrick will enter the offseason as a free agent and it's unclear if he'll be back in Detroit next season. |
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Kalif Raymond Kalif Raymond Three catches in playoff loss
Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 11:36 AM
Raymond caught all three of his targets for 37 yards while also adding a 21-yard kick return in Saturday's 45-31 NFC divisional-round playoff loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Raymond reeled in his most receptions since Week 7 on Saturday, finishing fourth on the team in catches behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. The wide receiver made his return to the field in Week 18 after missing five games with a foot injury. When healthy, Raymond provides the Lions with another field-stretcher at wide receiver and he'll enter 2025 on the final year of his contract with Detroit. |
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Jameson Williams Jameson Williams Mixed bag versus Washington
Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 11:28 AM
Williams caught one of four targets for 19 yards, while also adding a 61-yard rushing touchdown and thrown an interception on his only pass attempt in Saturday's 45-31 NFC divisional-round playoff loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Williams saw his fewest targets since Week 7 in Saturday's loss, leading to just 19 yards through the air. On the flip side, the wide receiver was the beneficiary of a trick-play handoff in the second quarter, scoring a 61-yard touchdown on the ground. Later in the fourth quarter, Williams attempted to throw a pass downfield, which was intercepted by Mike Sainristil. Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown provided the Lions with a formidable duo at wide receiver this year and Williams figures to remain a significant part of Detroit's passing attack in 2025. |
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Amon-Ra St. Brown Amon-Ra St. Brown Totals 137 yards in loss
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 11:25 PM
St. Brown recorded eight receptions on 10 targets for 137 yards in Saturday's 45-31 divisional-round loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: St. Brown paced the Lions' pass catchers in receptions and yards, highlighted by three catches of at least 20 yards. The performance marked his fifth time topping 100 yards across 18 total games on the season, a significant decrease from his 10 such performances in 2023. Nevertheless, St. Brown enjoyed strong production and will almost certainly be the top option among Detroit's pass catchers again in 2025. |
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Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs Massive effort in loss
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 11:13 PM
Gibbs rushed the ball 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's 45-31 divisional-round loss to the Commanders. He added six receptions on 11 targets for 70 yards.
Analysis: Gibbs was a bright spot in the disappointing playoff exit for Detroit. Even with David Montgomery back in the mix, Gibbs led the backfield with 20 touches as opposed to only seven for Montgomery. Gibbs found the end zone twice from two and eight yards away, while also adding explosive gains of 33, 23 and 15 yards to post his highest yardage total of the campaign. He'll enter 2025 in the third year of his rookie contract and should remain a driving force in the Detroit offense after posting 1,929 yards and 20 yards from scrimmage across 17 regular season games in 2024. |
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Jared Goff Jared Goff Rough showing in postseason loss
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 10:52 PM
Goff completed 23 of 40 passes for 313 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in Saturday's divisional-round loss to the Commanders. He added one rush for seven yards and lost a fumble.
Analysis: Goff lost a fumble on the Lions' third offensive possession, though things otherwise were relatively on track for the offense early in the contest. He led two touchdown drives by midway through the second quarter, highlighted by a two-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta. However, Goff went on to throw a pick-six and then was intercepted again just before halftime to end a scoring threat. Finally, with the game still in reach, he threw another interception in the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Goff's uncharacteristic mistakes were ultimately too much to overcome, with Detroit shockingly being eliminated as a result. Goff will enter the 2025 season in the first year of a four-year extension and will lead the Lions offense, albeit likely without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. |
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Jared Goff Jared Goff Returns to Saturday's contest
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8:46 PM
Goff (head) returned to Saturday's divisional-round game versus the Commanders, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Analysis: Goff took a big hit from Washington defender Frankie Luvu on Quan Martin's pick-six of the quarterback in the second quarter. After getting checked for a concussion in the sideline tent, Goff had his helmet on and was ready to come back in when WR Jameson Williams turned a trick play into a 61-yard touchdown. With Goff rejoining his teammates on the field after the two-minute warning, he'll need to overcome a 31-21 deficit in order for the Lions to reach the NFC Championship Game. |
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Jared Goff Jared Goff Getting checked for concussion
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 8:30 PM
Goff is under evaluation for a concussion during Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders.
Analysis: After committing his second turnover of the contest in the second quarter, Goff took a big hit on Quan Martin's interception return for a touchdown and made his way slowly to the sideline. At the time of his departure, Goff had completed eight of 11 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and the pick while losing a fumble. Teddy Bridgewater took over for Goff under center, while Hendon Hooker is the emergency third quarterback. |
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Teddy Bridgewater Teddy Bridgewater Backup for divisional round
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 6:20 PM
Bridgewater is active as the backup quarterback for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Analysis: Bridgewater signed with the Lions on Dec. 26 and has operated as the emergency third quarterback in two games since. He'll be officially active for the first time this season and is set to serve as Jared Goff's backup. |
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Hendon Hooker Hendon Hooker Demoted for playoffs
Sat, Jan 18, 2025, 6:17 PM
Hooker (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Analysis: Hooker operated as the backup to Jared Goff for the entire season, though he'll serve as the emergency quarterback in the Lions' playoff opener. Teddy Bridgwater has taken over as second on the depth chart. |
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David Montgomery David Montgomery Set to return Saturday
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 3:59 PM
Montgomery (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders.
Analysis: Montgomery hurt the MCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Bills, after which there was uncertainty about his potential to return this season. Ultimately, after he received numerous opinions regarding the issue, the Lions made the decision to not place him on injured reserve, giving him a chance to come back at some point in the postseason. The call was a fortuitous one after Detroit claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and Montgomery will miss only three games as a result of the injury. It's unclear how much work he may scoop up alongside Jahmyr Gibbs on Saturday, but at the very least Montgomery likely will claim some of the early-down and short-yardage reps that have allowed him to compile 25 rushing touchdowns in 28 regular-season contests with the Lions. |
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David Montgomery David Montgomery Gauged as full practice participant
Tue, Jan 14, 2025, 3:21 PM
The Lions listed Montgomery (knee) as a full participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Analysis: Though the Lions didn't take the field for a traditional practice coming off a bye week in the opening round of the playoffs, Montgomery's listed full participation seemingly supports the notion that the running back will be ready to go for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders. Given that Montgomery missed the final three contests of the regular season due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, he could be asked to handle a more limited role out of the backfield in the Lions' postseason opener than he taken on prior to suffering the injury. Second-year tailback Jahmyr Gibbs thrived as the Lions' clear lead option out of the backfield during Montgomery's absence and still projects to get the larger share of the touches Saturday, though Montgomery's bruising running style and ability to contribute as a receiver will make him a welcome addition to the offense. Montgomery made 14 appearances during the regular season, carrying 185 times for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 341 yards on 38 targets. |
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David Montgomery David Montgomery Expected back for divisional round
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 1:51 PM
Head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that he expects to have Montgomery (knee) available for the Lions' first playoff game in the divisional round, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Analysis: Montgomery initially looked to be at risk of missing the rest of the season after he suffered a left knee injury in a Week 15 loss to the Bills, but he received good news when tests revealed an MCL sprain but no other major structural damage. The running back was able to avoid surgery to address the injury, and he seems to be responding well three weeks into his rehab program. Per Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press, Montgomery went through his first full workout this past Saturday since suffering the knee injury, which included some change-of-pace work. With the Lions having clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs, Montgomery will benefit from more time to heal up before Detroit opens postseason play Jan. 18 or Jan. 19. |
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Kalif Raymond Kalif Raymond One catch in return to action
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:23 PM
Raymond caught his only target for 11 yards while also compiling 23 yards on three punt returns in Sunday night's 31-9 win over the Vikings.
Analysis: Raymond made his return to action after missing four games with a foot injury, producing a relatively quiet line in Detroit's dominant win. When active, the wide receiver has operated as a relatively quiet depth option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams this year. With the regular season now officially over, Raymond will complete his 2024 campaign having produced 17 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns while also compiling 413 yards and a touchdown as the team's primary punt returner over 12 games. Raymond will look to be more involved on offense when Detroit returns to play in two weeks for a matchup in the NFC divisional round. |
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Sam LaPorta Sam LaPorta Seven catches in Week 18 win
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:12 PM
LaPorta caught all seven of his targets for 63 yards caught six of seven targets for 77 yards in Sunday's 31-9 win over the Vikings.
Analysis: LaPorta tied his season high in catches, though he failed to score after producing four touchdowns in the previous five games. The second-year tight end rebounded from a slow start to finish the regular season with 60 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns on 83 targets. Those numbers are all down significantly from LaPorta's 86-catch, 10-touchdown rookie regular season, but all will be forgiven if LaPorta steps up in the postseason. The top-seeded Lions will open the playoffs with a bye before hosting a game in the NFC divisional round. |
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Jared Goff Jared Goff Guides Detroit to No. 1 seed
Sun, Jan 5, 2025, 11:07 PM
Goff completed 27 of 33 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 31-9 win over the Vikings.
Analysis: Minnesota's buzzing defense made things difficult for Goff, but he maintained a high completion percentage and put Detroit's offense in manageable situations. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs led the way with four total touchdowns, including a 10-yard pass from Goff, and the defense stepped up to secure the top seed in the NFC for the Lions. Detroit will have a home game in the NFC divisional round following a bye. Goff finishes the regular season with 4,629 passing yards and a 37:12 TD:INT. |
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