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Jameson Williams Jameson Williams Now eligible for Week 5 Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 2:37 PM Williams is eligible to play as soon as Week 5 against Carolina after the NFL and NFLPA agreed Friday on a new policy for player gambling, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: The new policy increases punishments for betting on NFL games and decreases punishments for betting on other spots from team facilities. The league originally suspended Williams for the first six games of the season but will now allow him to come back after sitting out four weeks, potentially providing another boost to a Detroit passing game that's largely leaned on WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds and TE Sam LaPorta. If Williams lives up to his first-round billing it'll be one of the league's best groups of pass catchers, with potential for RB Jahmyr Gibbs to give the Lions a fourth high-impact player at some point. On the other hand, Reynolds could maintain a degree of fantasy relevance if Williams struggles to earn snaps and/or targets.
Craig Reynolds Craig Reynolds No touches with Montgomery back Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 11:52 AM Reynolds did not record a carry during Thursday's win over Green Bay. Analysis: Reynolds logged one offensive snap and only made an impact returning kickoffs on special teams with David Montgomery back to carry the rushing load. Especially after proving to be more than a Montgomery injury away from a notable role, Reynolds has returned to fantasy irrelevance for the time being.
Brock Wright Brock Wright No targets Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 11:46 AM Wright was not targeted with a pass during Thursday's 34-20 win over Green Bay. Analysis: Wright logged over half of the offensive snaps, but the Notre Dame product has not been targeted in three games since his two-reception performance in Week 1. Meanwhile, rookie Sam LaPorta has exceeded all expectations as the Lions' top pass-catching tight end. As long as LaPorta is healthy, there probably won't be any need for Wright to catch passes on a regular basis.
Marvin Jones Marvin Jones Playing time dwindling Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 11:42 AM Jones was targeted once but did not catch a pass during Thursday's 34-20 win over Green Bay. Analysis: After logging over half of the offensive snaps in Week 1, Jones has seen his snap share decline with each passing week. With Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond effectively complementing top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta, there's no reason to expect Jones' usage to spike anytime soon. The return of Jameson Williams (suspension) in Week 7 will make it even harder for the veteran wideout to make a dent in the box score.
Kalif Raymond Kalif Raymond Scampers for 40 yards Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 10:58 AM Raymond caught one pass for minus-two yards and rushed once for 40 yards during Thursday's win over the Packers. Analysis: Raymond logged about half of the offensive snaps he had seen in each of the past two games as Detroit spent most of the second half running the ball. While he did next to nothing as a receiver in the first half anyway, Raymond still made an impact on punt returns and his 40-yard scamper on an end-around was the biggest reason Detroit was able to quickly gain a two-touchdown lead early in the second quarter. More valuable in real terms than in fantasy, Raymond will enter a Week 5 matchup with Carolina as nothing more than a differentiating option in single-game DFS contests.
Josh Reynolds Josh Reynolds Back in box score Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 10:37 AM Reynolds caught three of six targets for 69 yards during Thursday's win over the Packers. Analysis: Reynolds again logged the majority of offensive snaps and saw another six targets for the third time in four weeks. Oddly coming off zero-target showing in Week 3, it was encouraging for his fantasy investors to see Reynolds back in the box score even if it remains a concern that he can completely disappear from a game. With Marvin Jones ineffective at this stage of his career and the diminutive Kalif Raymond largely a clear-out runner, Reynolds should be good for a handful of targets every week as the next-best wideout after Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs 12 touches in Montgomery's return Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 10:18 AM Gibbs rushed eight times for 40 yards while securing four of five targets for 11 yards during Thursday's 34-20 win over the Packers. Analysis: After logging nearly 60 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 3, Gibbs dropped below 40 with the return of David Montgomery from a thigh bruise. The workload split may have been surprising simply given the questionable tag with which the latter entered the game, but the distribution of carries definitely was surprising after Montgomery handled 32 totes to Gibbs' eight. While Gibbs' did see three more targets in the passing game, the rookie had minimal involvement in the red zone while Montgomery racked up three touchdowns. This overall usage makes Gibbs most valuable in full PPR formats, but it is clear his value is capped across the board with Montgomery handling so much of the rushing volume. Up next is a Week 5 matchup at home against the Panthers.
Sam LaPorta Sam LaPorta Totals 56 yards Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 9:53 AM LaPorta caught four of five targets for 56 yards during Thursday's 34-20 win over Green Bay. Analysis: LaPorta looked like he was on his way to a big night after getting loose for a 35-yard gain within the game's opening minutes. While he received another four targets before halftime, he didn't see another pass come his way in the second half with Detroit protecting a large lead with the run game -- and successfully limiting Green Bay to less than three minutes of fourth-quarter offense in the process. While this muted finish is disappointing for LaPorta's production, through three weeks only 12 other tight ends have a per-game target average that is at or above the rookie's first-half involvement from Thursday, which also ties the rookie's minimum number of targets from his Week 1 professional debut. With only Zach Ertz seeing a larger team target share among all tight ends, the ascending LaPorta will be a high-quality fantasy option when Detroit reconvenes for a Week 5 matchup with Carolina.
Zonovan Knight Zonovan Knight Inactive with Montgomery healthy Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 6:03 PM Knight is inactive for Thursday night's Week 4 game against the Packers. Analysis: With David Montgomery returning from his quad injury for this one, Knight is the odd man out as a healthy scratch. Craig Reynolds is more active on special teams and will serve as the third running back behind Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs Montgomery back for TNF Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 5:59 PM Gibbs is welcoming back Montgomery (thigh) to the Lions backfield for Thursday's game at Green Bay. Analysis: With Montgomery sidelined this past Sunday versus the Falcons, Gibbs handled 17 carries and caught one of two passes en route to 82 yards from scrimmage. Montgomery himself racked up 37 carries through a little more than six quarters prior to injuring his thigh Week 2. The breakdown of RB reps for Detroit on Thursday remains to be seen, but Gibbs could be the team's leader in rushes for a second consecutive contest if Montgomery has a cap on his reps.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Back in action in Week 4 Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 5:49 PM Montgomery (thigh) is listed as active Thursday at Green Bay. Analysis: Despite conflicting reports about his availability for Week 4 earlier Thursday, Montgomery will miss just one game as a result of the bruised left thigh that he suffered Week 2 against the Seahawks. Considering he was listed as limited on Lions practice reports Monday through Wednesday, though, there's a chance he'll be operating on a snap count Thursday. Prior to the aforementioned injury, Montgomery racked up 37 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in his only target for seven yards in a little more than six quarters of action. If Montgomery is unable to handle such a workload, rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs will be the primary beneficiary in the Lions backfield.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Likely to play Thursday Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 8:38 AM Montgomery (thigh) is expected to suit up versus the Packers on Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Pelissero's latest report corrects one from earlier in the day, when he reported that Montgomery and left tackle Taylor Decker (ankle) -- both of whom are listed as questionable -- weren't on track to play Thursday. Even though he was tagged as a limited participant for each of the Lions' three walk-through sessions this week, Montgomery looks as though he'll be ready to return from a one-game absence due to the right thigh injury. In any case, confirmation on Montgomery's status will come when Detroit releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, and fantasy managers will likely want to monitor the situation until then. Pelissero relays that Montgomery is expected to reclaim duties as the Lions' lead back Thursday, which could result in Jahmyr Gibbs falling below a 50 percent snap share like he did in both of the first two weeks of the season.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Not expected to play Thursday Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 7:40 AM Montgomery (thigh), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Packers, isn't expected to play, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Pelissero notes that earlier in the week the Lions had some optimism regarding the availability of Montgomery, but the team appears inclined to err on the side of caution with the running back and hold him out for one more game. Confirmation on Montgomery's status will arrive when the Lions release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but assuming Montgomery ends up being sidelined, Jahmyr Gibbs would once again be in line to see an expanded role as Detroit's lead back.
Jason Cabinda Jason Cabinda Ruled out for Thursday Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 6:12 PM Cabinda (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Panthers, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Cabinda first popped up on the injury report earlier this week and is now officially listed as out for Thursday's matchup. It remains to be seen how Detroit will replace the 27-year-old, as he has played on both offense and special teams through three games and there are currently no other fullbacks on the roster.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Questionable after another LP Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 3:08 PM Montgomery (thigh) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game in Green Bay, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: The Lions held walkthrough practices each day this week and listed Montgomery as a limited participant for every one. Four others players got the same treatment -- all starters or key guys -- and all four now are listed as questionable for Thursday night. That includes LT Taylor Decker (ankle) and LG Jonah Jackson (thigh), while RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) and swing tackle Matt Nelson (ankle) are already ruled out. The Lions can't expect great run-blocking with so many linemen banged up, and at this point it's not clear if Montgomery of Jahmyr Gibbs will be spearheading the rushing attack. Montgomery may end up a game-time decision Thursday evening, with his availability having a huge impact on Gibbs' fantasy value after the rookie got more carries Week 3 (17) than in Weeks 1 and 2 combined (14).
Darrell Daniels Darrell Daniels Promoted to active roster Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 12:45 PM Daniels was signed to the active roster Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Analysis: Daniels receives a promotion from the practice squad in the wake of fullback Jason Cabinda (knee) dropping from a limited participant in Monday's practice to a DNP on Tuesday. After logging over 100 snaps in the backfield during his time in Arizona between 2021 and 2022, Daniels could be a replacement for Cabinda during Thursday's matchup with Green Bay.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Another limited listing Tue, Sep 26, 2023, 3:12 PM Montgomery (thigh) was limited at Tuesday's walkthrough. Analysis: After hurting his thigh in Week 2 versus the Seahawks, Montgomery was unable to practice at all prior to being inactive this past Sunday against the Falcons. This week, he's been estimated as a limited participant on both of the Lions' initial injury reports, but coach Dan Campbell relayed Tuesday that he's "starting to feel pretty good about" Montgomery suiting up Thursday at Green Bay.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Trending in right direction Tue, Sep 26, 2023, 1:24 PM Lions coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that he's optimistic that Montgomery (thigh) will be able to play in Thursday's game versus the Packers. Analysis: Montgomery missed Week 3 due to a thigh bruise but was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report. His return would likely mean less usage for rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs, who saw 17 rushing attempts versus Atlanta after garnering just 14 through the first two weeks of the season.
Jason Cabinda Jason Cabinda Shows up on injury report Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 3:13 PM Cabinda (knee) was listed as a limited participant on the Lions' estimated injury report Monday. Analysis: Cabinda has split time between the offense and special teams through three games this year and had his first rushing attempt of the season Sunday against the Falcons that went for no gain. His status now is up in the air for Thursday's game at Green Bay.
David Montgomery David Montgomery Listed as limited Monday Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 3:09 PM Montgomery (thigh) was a limited participant on Monday's practice estimate. Analysis: Montgomery was injured Week 2 against Seattle and didn't suit up for Sunday's 20-6 win over Atlanta. In Montgomery's absence, Jahmyr Gibbs took on a workhorse role with 17 carries for 80 yards, while Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight combined for 28 yards on seven carries. Montgomery's limited participation Monday suggests he has a chance to return for Thursday's game in Green Bay, though Tuesday's injury report will provide clarification on that front.