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Detroit Lions

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Craig Reynolds Craig Reynolds In line for more carries Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 4:21 PM With David Montgomery (knee) out multiple weeks, Reynolds is expected to see an expanded role on offense Sunday against the Bears, Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: As Ramsey notes, Reynolds played behind Jahmyr Gibbs in a game against the Raiders last season when Montgomery was sidelined and rushed 14 times for 74 yards. Montgomery and Gibbs have stayed relatively healthy this season prior to Montgomery's MCL injury last week versus Buffalo, and Reynolds has mainly been glued to special teams while handling garbage-time carries on offense. Reynolds has compiled a 12-51-0 rushing line on 39 offensive snaps all year. While Gibbs should be a candidate for 20-plus touches versus Chicago, Reynolds also may be involved and could even see double-digit carries. Rookie Sione Vaki also is in the mix for playing time, but Reynolds has operated as the RB3 much of the season. Reynolds is worth picking up in deeper fantasy leagues.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Unsure about IR Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 11:43 AM Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday that the team hasn't made a decision about placing Montgomery (knee) on injured reserve, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Montgomery spent much of this week visiting medical experts and now believes he can return from his MCL injury before the end of the campaign without undergoing surgery. Placing him on injured reserve before Sunday's game against the Bears not only would rule Montgomery out for the rest of the regular season but also for Detroit's first game of the playoffs. Given that reality, he may be kept on the roster even if there's no chance he plays again through Week 18. The Lions won't have a playoff game until Jan. 18 or 19 if they earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC, giving Montgomery five weeks from the date of his initial injury to recover.
David Montgomery David Montgomery May return for playoffs Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 4:52 PM Montgomery (knee) is now optimistic he'll avoid surgery and hopes to return during the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Previously expected to undergo season-ending surgery for an MCL tear, Montgomery apparently got promising feedback from medical experts and now hopes he can recover with rest. The report suggests he'll still miss the rest of the regular season but may return at some point in January for a Detroit team that's currently battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Seeking third opinion on injury Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 12:24 PM Head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that Montgomery (knee) is seeking a third opinion on his MCL injury, which is why the team has not yet placed him on injured reserve, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. Analysis: Campbell has already said Montgomery is expected to undergo season-ending surgery to address the MCL sprain in his right knee, but with Detroit gearing up to hopefully make a deep playoff push, the standout running back is leaving the door open for an alternative treatment plan. The expectation remains, though, that Montgomery will be shut down for the remainder of the 2024 campaign, leaving Jahmyr Gibbs atop the backfield, with Craig Reynolds and rookie Sione Vaki handling expanded depth roles.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Confirmed done for season Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 2:12 PM Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Montgomery will undergo season-ending knee surgery and miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: "We're gonna miss him, man," Campbell added. Montgomery is reportedly dealing with an MCL injury, which he suffered in Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Bills. However, he continued to play through it, so it came as a shock Monday when the nature of the issue was revealed to the public. It's yet another crushing blow to Detroit's injury-riddled roster. Montgomery's loss sets up Jahmyr Gibbs to be a workhorse back the rest of the way. Behind Gibbs on the depth chart are special teams ace Craig Reynolds and rookie Sione Vaki. Jermar Jefferson is additional depth on the practice squad. Montgomery's season finishes with 185 carries for 775 yards (4.2 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. He added 36 catches for 341 yards on 38 targets in the pass game. Montgomery will likely be placed on injured reserve in the coming days.
Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs Workhorse role coming? Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 11:21 AM Gibbs appears positioned to inherit an increased backfield role, as David Montgomery (knee) is out indefinitely due to a potentially significant MCL injury sustained during Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: Gibbs piled up 114 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns during Sunday's loss to Buffalo, a contest in which Detroit was forced to play from behind and adopt a pass-heavy approach. Montgomery's MCL injury seems to have also factored into Gibbs' elevated role, rather than the two operating in a fairly even timeshare, as per usual. Now, with Montgomery potentially in danger of missing the remainder of the 2024 campaign, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Gibbs seems to be facing a clear path to workhorse opportunities down the stretch, making him matchup-proof. Gibbs hasn't required a hefty workload in order to produce this season, but with Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki now positioned as his top complementary options, he's the Lions' clear No. 1 RB heading into a road matchup against the Bears in Week 16.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Suffers potentially serious injury Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 11:11 AM Montgomery (knee) sustained an MCL injury in his knee during Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills, the severity of which could be season ending, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Analysis: Montgomery is undergoing additional tests on his knee Monday and will seek a second opinion on whatever initial results he receives, but Schefter reports that at this time the standout running back is considered out indefinitely. The Lions have yet to make an official announcement regarding Montgomery's status, but the severity of his knee injury ultimately may rule him out for the remainder of the regular season and thus the fantasy playoffs, if not the entire 2024 campaign. Montgomery's injury is the latest in a series of brutal blows for Detroit's roster, especially as the team works to mount an impactful playoff run. The lone bright spot for the Lions is that Jahmyr Gibbs remains a backfield option capable of thriving in a lead role. Beginning Sunday versus Chicago, though, it may fall to Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki to complement Gibbs in Montgomery's place.
Tim Patrick Tim Patrick Finds paydirt again in Week 15 Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 11:16 PM Patrick caught four of eight targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. Analysis: Patrick found the end zone for a second week in a row, reeling in a 12-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. He has now caught 19 of 26 targets for 202 yards and three touchdowns over the team's last five games. Patrick has certainly settled into a consistent role as Detroit's No. 3 wide receiver down the stretch in 2024.
Jameson Williams Jameson Williams Finds end zone in loss Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 11:07 PM Williams caught three of five targets for 37 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. Analysis: Williams was limited to his lowest reception total since Week 10, but he did salvage his day with a three-yard touchdown catch with less than a minute left in the game. The wide receiver has now compiled 25 catches for 386 yards and two touchdowns over the last six games following his two-game suspension. On the season, Williams has emerged as a legitimate No. 2 option at wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown this season, catching 42 of 68 targets for 747 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding eight carries for 56 yards over 12 games.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Limited by game script Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8:36 PM Montgomery rushed the ball five times for four yards in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. He added four receptions on four targets for 31 yards. Analysis: The Lions fell behind quickly in the contest and attempted only 15 rushes as a result. That left Montgomery largely uninvolved, though he did top 30 receiving yards for the fourth straight game. A Week 16 matchup against the Bears should allow a more balanced offensive game plan for the Lions, with Montgomery returning to a more typical level of involvement.
Sam LaPorta Sam LaPorta Best performance of season Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8:31 PM LaPorta recorded seven receptions on 10 targets for 111 yards in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. Analysis: Several of Detroit's primary pass catchers posted inflated stat lines as Jared Goff was forced to take to the air 59 times in negative game script. LaPorta delivered his best yardage total of the season as a result, highlighted by long gains of 31 and 22 yards to record the second 100-yard performance of his career. The Lions aren't likely to be down multiple scores often for the rest of the campaign, making this an outlier performance, though it was positive to see LaPorta finish second on the team in targets.
Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs Pair of scores in loss Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8:19 PM Gibbs rushed the ball eight times for 31 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. He added five receptions on seven targets for 83 yards and an additional score. Analysis: The Lions attempted only 15 rushes in the game, as they were forced into a pass-heavy offensive scheme while chasing points. That led to a modest day on the ground for Gibbs, though he did punch in a one-yard rushing score midway through the fourth quarter. He also shone as a pass-catcher, with all five of his receptions going for gains of at least 10 yards, highlighted by a 12-yard touchdown grab early in the final quarter. All told, it was Gibbs' second consecutive multi-touchdown performance and the eighth time he's topped 100 yards from scrimmage for the season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Amon-Ra St. Brown Career-best 193 yards Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 8:06 PM St. Brown recorded 14 receptions on 18 targets for 193 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. Analysis: The Lions were forced into a pass-heavy offense as they chased the Bills all game, and the result was a career-best performance for St. Brown. The highlight came on a 66-yard touchdown catch and run, during which St. Brown split the Buffalo defense down the middle and out-raced several defenders to the end zone. He also chipped in long gains of 24, 31 and 16 yards to top 100 yards for the fourth time this season and for the first time since Week 11.
Jared Goff Jared Goff Huge performance in loss Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 7:58 PM Goff completed 38 of 59 passes for 494 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills. He added two rushes for 13 yards. Analysis: The Lions went down 14-0 in the first quarter and played from behind the entire contest, which led to a season-high 59 pass attempts for Goff. He converted that into an excellent stat line, including his second-most yards in any game of his career while matching a career-high with five touchdowns. He also completed five passes of at least 20 yards, highlighted by a 66-yard touchdown connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown late in the third quarter. While this was an outlier performance, Goff has at least three passing scores in half of Detroit's 10 games since their Week 5 bye and should remain an excellent starting option heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Bears.
Tim Patrick Tim Patrick Two touchdowns in win Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 11:29 PM Patrick caught six of seven targets for 43 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday's 34-31 win over the Packers. Analysis: Patrick was finally able to reach the end zone for the first time since the 2021 season, scoring on a three-yard catch in the third quarter and a one-yard snag in the fourth quarter. The 31-year-old has carved out a solid role for himself as the undisputed No. 3 option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams at wide receiver, catching 15 of 18 targets for 172 yards and two scores over the last four games. On the season, Patrick has 27 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns over 12 games with Detroit.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Amon-Ra St. Brown Held in check by Packers Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 11:29 PM St. Brown brought in five of six targets for 43 yards and rushed once for 10 yards in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night. Analysis: As had been the case in four of his previous five meetings with the Packers, St. Brown was held to under 57 receiving yards while furnishing his fourth-lowest yardage total of the campaign. However, St. Brown saved his most valuable contribution for his final catch, as he brought in a 16-yard dart from Jared Goff on over the middle on second-and-17 with 1:42 remaining. Despite the modest numbers Thursday, St. Brown should be heavily involved in a Week 15 home matchup against the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 15 that could well serve as a Super Bowl preview.
Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs Scores receiving TD in win Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 11:21 PM Gibbs rushed 15 times for 43 yards and secured all six targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night. Analysis: Gibbs and backfield mate David Montgomery struggled to find consistent running room, and 20 of Gibbs' rushing yards actually came on one carry. However, the second-year back tied Tim Patrick for the lead in receptions and recorded his second receiving touchdown of the season on a two-yard catch just before halftime. Gibbs now has four total touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) over the last four games heading into a Week 15 home clash against the Bills on Sunday night, Dec. 15.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Another TD in division win Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 11:15 PM Montgomery rushed 14 times for 51 yards and a touchdown and brought in all five targets for 33 yards in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night. Analysis: Montgomery capped off the opening possession of the game with a three-yard walk-in rushing touchdown, his fifth in the last five games. The veteran back generally found running room at a premium, but he set a new season high in receptions and targets. Montgomery has consistently complemented his work on the ground with solid production through the air of late, as he'll head into a Week 15 home showdown against the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 15 with a 14-143 line on 14 targets in the last four contests.
Jared Goff Jared Goff Stellar showing in big win Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 10:43 PM Goff completed 32 of 41 passes for 283 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Packers on Thursday night. He also rushed four times for seven yards. Analysis: Goff got the Lions off and running with a crisp 11-play, 70-yard march that culminated in a David Montgomery three-yard walk-in touchdown on the first possession of the contest. The veteran signal-caller would go on to struggle some during the rest of the first half, although he did get Detroit back in the end zone before halftime with a two-yard scoring toss to Jahmyr Gibbs. Goff would throw his one interception on a slant during Detroit's first drive of the second half, a pick that led to a Packers touchdown. Nevertheless, he would redeem himself with three- and one-yard scoring tosses to Tim Patrick, and by recording a pair of clutch completions during the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. Goff's interception broke a three-game streak without a pick, but he still boasts a 9:1 TD:INT over his last four contests heading into a Week 15 home showdown against Josh Allen and the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Maurice Alexander Maurice Alexander Elevated for Thursday's game Thu, Dec 5, 2024, 5:04 PM The Lions elevated Alexander from the practice squad to the active roster Thursday. Analysis: Alexander was waived by the Lions this past Saturday, but he opted to stick around in Detroit by signing to the practice squad Tuesday. He'll serve in a depth role at wide receiver, though if he does see the field against the Packers on Thursday, it'll likely be in a special teams role.