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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions WR Jameson Williams Will Not Appeal PED Suspension

October 24th, 2024 at 1:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was announced on Monday that Jameson Williams will serve a two-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. The third-year Lions wideout will not be appealing the ban.

In a statement, Williams noted the news of the ban was a “complete surprise.” The same is of course true of several players when they address similar situations, but in spite of the fact he was caught off guard Williams will not attempt to have the suspension reduced. He will miss Detroit’s Week 8 and 9 matchups as the team looks to continue its four-game winning streak.

“I don’t take supplements or vitamins and I am overly cautious about even taking over-the-counter medicine,” the 23-year-old said. “At no time have I ever taken something in an attempt to cheat or look for an unfair advantage. I understand that I am responsible for everything that goes into my body and I have to take accountability in this instance.” 

Williams’ rookie season saw him only make six appearances as he rehabbed the ACL tear which ended his college career. The former No. 12 pick was then delayed in making his season debut last year due to a gambling suspension, but he proved to be an effective deep threat once he was on the field. Entering the 2024 season as Detroit’s WR2, Williams has been a strong contributor with 361 yards and three touchdowns on 17 catches.

In his absence, Amon-Ra St. Brown will remain the Lions’ top receiver and he could see an uptick in targets. The same could also be true of tight end Sam LaPorta. In terms of secondary wideouts, Tim Patrick has handled a 45% snap share with his new team, so the former Bronco could step into Williams’ role on a temporary basis. Kalif Raymond is also a candidate for extra snaps and targets during the next two weeks.

Williams will be eligible for an extension this offseason, and Detroit will also have a decision to make on his fifth-year option in the spring. The presence of multiple suspensions on his resume will not help his value on either front, but his attention and that of the team will turn to replicating his early-season production once he is back on the field.

Aidan Hutchinson Could Make Return By Super Bowl

October 23rd, 2024 at 12:24pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Lions are favored by Vegas oddsmakers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl after beating the Vikings in Week 8, as the 49ers fell to the Chiefs.

If Detroit makes it all the way to New Orleans on February 9, they could receive a massive boost in the form of injured defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who broke his tibia and fibula in Week 6.

Hutchinson successfully underwent surgery to repair his broken bones last week, with head coach Dan Campbell offering a four-to-six month timetable for his recovery. However, doctors discovered during surgery that Hutchinson suffered no ligament or nerve damage in the injury, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, indicating that he might be able to beat Campbell’s original prognosis and return in time for the Super Bowl, which is set for just under four months after his injury on October 13.

“I would never count him out,” said Campbell after Hutchinson’s surgery. “I would say if anybody can make it back it would be him.”

While Hutchinson’s injury shocked many who watched it on live television, it was a clean break without any additional complications, simplifying the repair and recovery process for the star edge rusher’s leg. The injury also fortuitously took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlingon, Texas, with nearby Baylor University Medical Center designated as the Level 1 trauma center for any major injuries that happened during the game. Baylor’s medical director of orthopedic trauma services is Dr. Alan Jones, one of the nation’s experts in tibia and fibula repairs, placing Hutchinson in good hands immediately after his injury.

Those factors will give Hutchinson an outside chance at playing in the Super Bowl should the Lions advanced through the playoffs and win the NFC Championship Game in January. His injury brought Hutchinson’s Defensive Player of the Year campaign to a screeching halt, but it’s still possible he could help Detroit hoist an even more important trophy if all goes right.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/24

October 22nd, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Commanders

The Ravens finally activated Maulet to the 53-man roster at the very end of his 21-day return window. The veteran slot cornerback underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the preseason, but dealt with a minor hamstring injury upon his return to practice. To make room, Baltimore waived Ross, a special teams starter, likely hoping to add him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Maulet’s return could not be coming at a better time for a Ravens pass defense that was already struggling before starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey left Monday night’s victory over the Buccaneers with an injury.

 

The Panthers signed Gill off the Lions’ practice squad and Harris off the Dolphins’ practice squad to fortify their defense on Tuesday. They also released Haynes and waived Wooten and Smith as part of an overhaul of their weak front seven.

 

The Giants signed Watts from their practice squad to strengthen the interior of their defensive line while waiving Basham, a former Bills second-round pick who arrived in New York via trade in August 2023. Giants general manager Joe Schoen was the assistant GM in Buffalo when Basham was drafted, while Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the Bills’ offensive coordinator. Schoen traded a sixth-round pick in exchange for Basham and a seventh-rounder from the Bills just before the 2023 regular season, but Basham did not record a single sack in 13 games as a Giant.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/22/24

October 22nd, 2024 at 5:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: S Erick Hallet

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Prince played under Brian Callahan in Cincinnati but has only played two games over the past two seasons. A six-game starter with the Dolphins and Bengals, Prince missed all of the 2020 season due to a COVID-19 opt-out and then all of the 2022 season due to injury.

The Vikings cut Tonyan from their 53-man roster earlier today, but because the NFC North mainstay is a vested veteran, he did not need to clear waivers before joining Minnesota’s practice squad. With T.J. Hockenson on the way back, Tonyan profiles as insurance.

This is a third chance for Marshall. The Panthers waived him after three seasons. No team claimed the former second-round pick, with Joe Brady‘s Bills passing. The 49ers took a flier soon after but released him last week.

Jameson Williams Facing Two-Game Ban

October 21st, 2024 at 9:56pm CST by Ben Levine

Jameson Williams‘ breakout season may be coming to a brief pause. According to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard (and via ESPN’s Adam Schefter), the Lions wide receiver is facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy.

Williams spoke to Woodyard, stating that he’s disappointed with the development and has “no choice but to take it on the chin.” 

“I’m in good spirits,” Williams told Woodyard. “[I’m] just ready to get back with the my brothers ASAP soon as possible.”

This is a tough blow for both Williams and the Lions, as the former first-round pick was putting together the strongest season of his career. In six games (four starts), Williams has already established career-highs in receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (three). His 60.2 yards-per-game mark was more than double his 2023 average, and it barely trailed Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s team-leading 66.8 yards per game.

The 12th-overall pick in the 2022 draft, Williams didn’t make his debut until that December while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in college. After finishing his rookie campaign with a single catch (a 41-yard touchdown, no less), Williams got a full offseason ahead of the 2023 campaign. However, the start of his sophomore season was still delayed thanks to a suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. When he returned, he was firmly behind St. Brown and Josh Reynolds on the depth chart.

With Reynolds no longer around in 2024, Williams has stepped up as the team’s WR2. In an offense loaded with talent, Williams has still managed to garner the second-most targets (30) on the squad. Fortunately for the Lions, they should be more than capable of overcoming Williams’ impending suspension. Tim Patrick and/or Kalif Raymond could step up at WR, and tight end Sam LaPorta could see an uptick in targets following a disappointing start to his sophomore campaign.

Browns’ Za’Darius Smith Addresses Trade Possibilities, Potential Lions Acquisition

October 20th, 2024 at 9:52am CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 20: Adding more substance to the Lions-Smith speculation, ESPN’s Adam Schefter hears from league sources that Detroit could indeed be interested in acquiring the accomplished pass rusher prior to the deadline. Cleveland would prefer to retain Smith and his thru-2025 contract, but the club is expected to listen to offers.

OCTOBER 18: The Browns have traded away Amari Cooper, a sign the 1-5 team could continue to sell leading up to the trade deadline. If that proves true, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith could soon be on the move.

The veteran served as a full-time starter last year, his debut campaign in Cleveland. Smith posted only 5.5 sacks – his fewest during a healthy season since 2017 – but he managed to land an extended look with the Browns in the offseason. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $23MM deal in March which prevented him from testing the open market. Things have not gone according to plan in 2024, however.

The Browns’ offense has struggled mightily with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, but the team has also failed to live up to expectations on defense so far. In terms of pass rush production, Cleveland sits 14th in the NFL with 15 sacks; Smith has accounted for three of those while adding four pressures and two tackles for loss. The three-time Pro Bowler’s base salary for this year is just $1.2MM (a prorated portion of which would be taken on by an acquiring team) and none of his base compensation for next year is guaranteed.

“You know what, that’s not my decision. That’s all upstairs,” Smith said when asked about the possibility of a trade (via Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram). “I would rather you ask them to see what that would be… I’m staying positive, but now that you say that, [getting traded] might be a good look, a good feel for me.”

Smith’s 10-year career has seen him suit up for four different teams, including stints with the Packers and Vikings. A deal sending him to the Lions would allow for a return to the NFC North, and it would help fill the void created by Aidan Hutchinson‘s broken leg. No firm links have emerged between Smith and Detroit, but he would apparently welcome the opportunity to finish the season in the Motor City.

“Hate that injury happened to him, a guy that was on his way to get Defensive Player of the Year possibly,” the former fourth-rounder said of Hutchinson. “That’s a big loss for them. But if I was to go to Detroit, I would like it, because I get to play Green Bay twice a year and the Vikings twice a year. So, yeah, that’ll be big.”

The Lions could certainly use help along the edge with both Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport out of the picture. The team has, to no surprise, showed at least some interest in Haason Reddick as his new representation seeks to bring an end to his Jets holdout. Adding Reddick will require some kind of contractual commitment unless he changes his stance and elects to play out the remainder of his existing deal (either in New York or as a member of a new team) and in doing so puts himself on track for free agency.

Other edge rushers could be on the trade market, though, including Smith. Given his remarks, he would certainly welcome a move sending him to the Lions. It will be worth watching closely to see if that sentiment is reciprocated, or if other teams show interest in adding him before the November 5 deadline.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/24

October 19th, 2024 at 6:29pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad callups:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Autry was hit with a six-game PED suspension in July, leaving the Texans without a key figure along the defensive line. The free agent pickup could have suited up by means of Houston using his one-week roster exemption; instead, he has been activated in time for Week 7. Autry, 34, posted a career-high 11 sacks last season and he will look to make an immediate impact during his Texans debut. Especially with Mario Edwards having been issued a four-game suspension of his own earlier this week, he should have a notable role right away.

Lions Check In On Jets’ Haason Reddick

October 16th, 2024 at 9:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aidan Hutchinson‘s gruesome injury gives the Lions a clear need as they continue to move toward Super Bowl contention. Nearly three weeks remain until the trade deadline, and Detroit has now touched base with the top edge rusher available.

The Lions have checked in with Haason Reddick‘s camp, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While this could qualify as due diligence, the Lions make sense as a Reddick landing spot. The Jets gave the holdout edge rusher permission to seek a trade, doing so shortly after the sides had talked about a solution that brings him to New York.

At odds with the Jets since shortly after his arrival in late March, Reddick has passed on six game checks. The standout edge player is attached to a $14.5MM base salary, though the prorated amount is now just more than $9MM. The Lions held more than $28MM in cap space before their Alim McNeill extension; that number placed them in fourth in the NFL.

The Jets probably are not too keen on doing Reddick any favors by picking up some of his salary to facilitate a trade, but at this point, the team appears willing to see what can be had for the disgruntled edge performer. Reddick has sought a multiyear deal; the Jets have not budged and do not plan to. For an extended period, the Jets were not willing to discuss trading Reddick. This would bring a strange end to a chapter that has not reflected well on the team, but the earlier the Jets move on, the better their compensation stands to be. Reddick’s Eagles-constructed contract runs through season’s end, and the 30-year-old defender is running the risk of minimizing his 2025 free agent market by staying off the field.

Reddick’s 50.5 sacks from 2020-23 rank fourth in the NFL. The Lions have run into issues in terms of Hutchinson complementary players for most of the star defender’s tenure. Now that the league’s 2024 sack leader is gone (almost definitely for the season), it stands to reason Detroit will need more help.

“Look, we’re open to anything. Brad’s working through it,” Dan Campbell said of GM Brad Holmes. “We are not going to be in a hurry. Brad would tell you — man, he’s doing his homework. The crew is doing their homework. They’re looking at everything. But we’re not just going to make a move to make it. It’s got to be right. It’s got to be the right guy and the pieces have to fall in place.”

The Lions signed Marcus Davenport to a one-year, $6.5MM deal and still roster the likes of Josh Paschal and James Houston. Of that trio, only Davenport has a sack. The oft-injured former first-rounder has tallied a half-sack and is on IR, where he spent most of his Vikings tenure. Hutchinson’s 7.5 lead the Lions by five, highlighting the need — despite Campbell’s comments conveying patience.

Reddick would check this box quickly, though the Lions authorizing another extension — for a player who has not played since an Eagles wild-card loss — would be unexpected. The Jets offered Reddick multiple deals that sweetened his 2024 salary, but in viewing the team has having reneged on a pledge to conduct true extension talks, the D-end stayed away from the team for months.

The Lions have already paid Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, David Montgomery and McNeill this year. Would they be willing to fit in a Reddick payment if it meant a better chance at the first Super Bowl berth in team history?

Lions Extend DT Alim McNeill

October 15th, 2024 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Lions experienced a huge loss when star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson went down for the year with a broken tibia this weekend. That might make Detroit a little more appreciative of who they do have on the defensive line. Perhaps that’s why the team decided to sign defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a four-year extension, per his agent Mike McCartney, keeping the 24-year-old in Detroit through the 2028 NFL season.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported some numbers for us, detailing that the extension will be worth $97MM over its four-year lifespan. McNeill will receive $55MM guaranteed on the new deal. The extension sets McNeill as the fourth-highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL in both total contract value and average annual value. He trails Chris Jones, Christian Wilkins, and Nnamdi Madubuike and just outpaces Quinnen Williams and Derrick Brown.

McNeill came to Detroit as a third-round pick out of NC State in the 2021 NFL Draft. He immediately found himself in the rotation as a rookie, starting six games for the Lions. By his sophomore campaign, McNeill was a full-time starter, and by his third year, McNeill was establishing himself as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.

Despite missing four games last year, McNeill had a breakout season, recording career highs in sacks (5.0) and quarterback hits (10) while matching a career high in tackles for loss (6). As a result of his breakout season, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked McNeill as the seventh-best interior defensive lineman out of 130 NFL players graded at the position.

This year, McNeill has continued his elite level of play. With 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits, McNeill is on track to set new career highs in several statistical categories. PFF has reflected those efforts in their rankings this season, as well, slotting McNeill in as the sixth-best interior defender out of 121 graded players in the league.

McNeill was a part of Brad Holmes‘ first draft class as the team’s new general manager in 2021. Holmes made a splash almost immediately, with his first official act as GM being to trade longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams in exchange for Jared Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-rounder. He followed that up with an impressive draft class.

From that seven-player draft class, McNeill becomes the third player to already have an extended contract, joining offensive cornerstones offensive tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The class also contained second-round defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, who missed his entire second season with a back injury but has become a reliable part of the rotation this year. Fellow third-rounder, defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu, contributed all over the field last season with two picks, eight passes defensed, and three sacks, but he’s been stuck on injured reserve so far this year. Fourth-round linebacker Derrick Barnes has also become a consistent starter on the defense and is having the best season of his career so far this year.

The Lions are certainly getting the most out of their ample salary cap space and seem to have an unlimited source of funds. Since April, Holmes and Detroit have extended St. Brown, Sewell, Goff, Taylor Decker, David Montgomery, and now, McNeill. Players like Onwuzurike, Barnes, Hutchinson, and Kerby Joseph remain as players eligible for extensions on the horizon. For now, though, Holmes and the Lions have done an incredible job of identifying key contributors and signing them to big deals.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/15/24

October 15th, 2024 at 9:16pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves in the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Nichols is reportedly out for the season, per the Cardinals, but Prater could still return after an additional four-game absence. He’s already missed two games so far with a left knee issue. The 40-year-old was a perfect six-for-six on field goal attempts this year while 10-for-10 on extra points.

The Browns lose an important depth lineman in Harris. Harris started games at left tackle and center as an injury replacement this year, but he’ll be out for at least the next four games with an ankle injury.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reported that Abernathy will be out for a “significant time,” per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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