Detroit

Lions

Gibbs described his training camp hamstring injury as a “little tweak” and that he’s feels about 98-100%. This is great news for fantasy managers as the second-year player says he feels more confident heading into year two. While Gibbs will continue to share the backfield workload with David Montgomery, expect Gibbs to be more involved overall with the offense.

Peoples-Jones was released as part of final roster cuts Tuesday but resurfaces with the team on their practice squad a day later. It would take a lot for DPJ to find his way onto the active 53-man roster on game days without significant injuries in Detroit.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since Robinson amassed a whopping 102 receptions with the Bears in 2020. The veteran pass-catcher has bounced around the league during the subsequent three years, spending time with the Rams and Steelers after leaving Chicago following the 2021 season. He spent under four months with the Giants before being released Tuesday during final roster cuts.

The Lions waived Fromm and fellow QB Nate Sudfeld, keeping their quarterback room to just Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker. Lions also waived/released CB Essang Bassey, WR Daurice Fountain, CB Javelin Guidry, LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, OT Jamarco Jones, WR Tom Kennedy, TE Sean McKeon, S C.J. Moore, DL Pat O’Connor, DL Kyle Peko, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, LB Ty Summers, LB Mitchell Agude, WR Maurice Alexander, LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Mathieu Betts, OG Jake Burton, WR Jalon Calhoun, OL Duke Clemens, LS Scott Daly, WR Kaden Davis, C Kingsley Eguakun, RB Jake Funk, S Chelen Garnes, CB Steven Gilmore, C Bryan Hudson, RB Jermar Jefferson, RB Zonovan Knight, TE James Mitchell, DL Chris Smith, DL Isaac Ukwu, CB Rachad Wildgoose, and TE Shane Zylstra and DL David Bada.

Patrick, who has not appeared in a regular season game since 2021, was released by the Broncos on Tuesday. The Lions certainly make sense from a need perspective. Now 30, it is admittedly uncertain if Patrick is still capable of working his way onto a 53-man roster. If and when Patrick earns a promotion from the taxi squad, it is difficult to believe he will manage to become fantasy relevant.

The release of Sudfeld means Hendon Hooker has presumably one the Lions’ backup quarterback job. Sudfeld was a sixth-round pick by the Washington football franchise in 2016 and was in the middle of a Week 17 controversy in 2020 when then-Eagles head coach Doug Pederson subbed out Jalen Hurts in favor of Sudfeld in a game the Eagles trailed by just three points. Washington ended up winning the game, with Pederson saying after that he thought it was a good time to give him an opportunity to get in some reps. Sudfeld has thrown for 188 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for his career. He hasn’t thrown a regular-season snap since his infamous outing with the Eagles.

The Lions acquired DPJ in a trade with the Browns last season. The speedster caught just five passes for 58 yards after the trade and was unable to secure a roster spot in a crowded receiver room this season. Peoples-Jones is just two years removed from a 61-839-3 season with the Browns and should catch on with another team in the coming days.

This is good news for Gibbs, who was first reported to be dealing with a hamstring injury back on August 12. With nearly two weeks to go before the start of the season, it doesn’t sound like there’s any real concern around Gibbs and his Week 1 availability. Assuming he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, fantasy managers wondering whether or not they can take Gibbs in the late first/early second round of drafts can do so with confidence. Gibbs finished as the RB8 in fantasy points per game last season in full-PPR leagues and should have another high-end RB1 fantasy season in him heading into his second year as a pro.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Reader reportedly passed his physical after months of rehabilitation. Reader suffered a torn quadriceps in Week 15, 2023 and his Week 1 status remained uncertain entering training camp. His activation is a positive step in that regard. Reader provides an imposing three-down presence for the Lions’ defensive line.

Hooker played the first three-plus quarters of the game before giving way to Jake Fromm late in the fourth. The 26-year-old quarterback had some issues with holding onto the ball and lost a fumble on top of the interception, but he also showed off his athleticism and made some strong throws in his second preseason game. Hooker isn’t likely to win the backup job from Nate Sudfeld, but he at least put out some quality tape if the Lions were to move on from the 2023 third-round selection. It’s also possible that Detroit will carry three quarterbacks to begin the year.