DJ Chark has not seen the field since Week 3, and is not close to a return. The Lions announced on Saturday that the veteran wideout has been placed on IR. 
The move guarantees that Chark will not be able to return for another month, and adds to the disappointment of his debut season in Detroit. The 26-year-old signed a one-year deal in March, as the team made a number of moves aimed at upgrading its aerial attack. Even with first-round rookie Jameson Williams yet to be activated, that improvement has taken place so far, as the Lions rank eighth in the NFL in passing yards per game (272).
Chark, however, has played a small role in that early success. The former Pro Bowler scored a touchdown in Week 1, but was held without a catch the following week. Overall, he has totaled 98 yards on seven receptions in 2022, a year in which he looked to put availability troubles behind him after an ankle injury limited him to four contests last season.
“I’m not really too comfortable speaking too deep into the detail of [the injury], just because I’m trying to figure out everything myself,” Chark said when speaking to the media, during which time he was seen in a walking boot. “But I definitely will be back this year for sure.”
Without their top free agent signing, the Lions will move forward with Josh Reynolds and Amon-Ra St. Brown as their top wideouts, along with tight end T.J. Hockenson as a focal point of their pass-catching corps. Chark is joined by cornerback Bobby Price on IR.
In more positive news, the team also confirmed that rookie defensive Josh Paschal and second-round corner Jerry Jacobs have been activated from the PUP list. Coming off of their bye week, the Lions will look to earn their second win of the year on Sunday against the Cowboys.
All that pre-season positivity towards the Lions seems a long time ago, doesn’t it?
It actually does, which is a shame – the offense is really good, but the defense phenomenally bad. The reinvigorating themes from Hard Knocks have seemingly turned into the next episode of Arrested Development/Same old Lions…
Gruß,
BSHH
When DJ stood up front in team meetings when the “Xs & Os” of plays were presented, the coaches kept trying to use DJ as a
CHARK Board !!
There has been a mixup: John Paschal has been a second-round pick. Jerry Jacobs was not picked in the second round.
Gruß,
BSHH
Unfortunate injury but this signing was about as bad as the one last year of Tyrell Williams.
Bad injury luck. Chark was exactly who I hoped they would sign in the offseason though
Chark really needed this season to bounce back. His next contract will be very small now & he could be out of the Leah’s if he doesn’t turn it around