The Lions are adding Donovan Peoples-Jones and Allen Robinson to their practice squad. This represents continuity for Peoples-Jones. For Robinson, it might be a last chance.
The Giants became the second team this year to cut Robinson, releasing him Tuesday. The Steelers moved on from the veteran wide receiver early this offseason. The Lions will be Robinson’s sixth NFL team. Detroit has stocked up on veteran options over the past 24 hours, as these agreements come after Tim Patrick linked up with Dan Campbell‘s team on a P-squad deal.
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Each of these three veteran options received walking papers Tuesday. The Broncos could not find a Patrick trade partner, and he may have a path to challenging for the Lions’ No. 3 wide receiver role. Denver added the player Detroit wanted for that job, Josh Reynolds, in free agency. Peoples-Jones re-signed with the Lions this offseason, but the 2023 trade pickup did not seize the job during preseason play. Detroit will take what amounts to a flier on Robinson, who has declined considerably since he was last in the NFC North.
A two-time 1,000-yard target with the Bears, Robinson received the franchise tag in 2021. He did not impress on the tag and quickly entered post-prime territory in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. The Rams had given Robinson a three-year, $46.5MM deal in 2022; he did not finish the season. The Steelers saw the former Jaguars and Bears standout produce 34 catches for 280 yards last season. The big-bodied target, who turned 31 last week, joined the Giants midway through the offseason but could not land a roster spot.
This trio joins veteran receiver/returner Kalif Raymond and UDFA Isaiah Williams as Lions wideouts. Detroit only kept four WRs on its active roster. Patrick, who has recovered from ACL and Achilles tears that took him off the field in 2022 and ’23, is expected to vault to the 53-man unit soon. Robinson and Peoples-Jones, in turn, appear P-squad stashes.
Homecoming for Allan Robinson as he played high school ball for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s before attending Penn State… hopefully he’ll perform for his hometown Lions like he did for the Nittany Lions!
Robinson has regressed so much in the past few years that his skill set will be back at the high school level before long.
Peoples-Jones is a surprise as he nothing in the pre-season…..
Jake Fromm State Farm is also on the Detroit practice squad — for when the Giants’ existing QBs all crap the bed.