Bates officially signed a two-year contract with the Lions on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Presumably the contract is structured in such a way that the Lions could move on during training camp if Bates isn't able to replicate his trademark leg strength throughout the preseason, but the two-year deal is notable because NFL vagabonds Michael Badgley and James Turner are also on the roster. The Lions will hope Bates can replicate the success of spring football sensation Brandon Aubrey, who parlayed an excellent performance in the USFL into a record-setting rookie campaign with the Cowboys in 2023. Potentially playing in the comfy confines of Ford Field and being situated in a high-powered Detroit offense, Bates could be an immediate fantasy difference maker.
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passing yards
4575rushing yards
1015receiving yards
1515tackles
85interceptions
4Passing
name GP CMP ATT CMP% YDS YDS/G TD INT SACK SYL RTG A. St. Brown,WR16000.0%00.000180.0J. Reeves-Maybin,LB1711100.0%311.80000118.8J. Goff,QB1740760567.3%4,575269.130123019797.9Rushing
name GP CAR YDS AVG LNG YDS/G TD FUM LST FD C. Reynolds,RB17411794.41910.512411D. Montgomery,RB142191,0154.67572.51323059D. Ozigbo,RB3351.741.70031A. St. Brown,WR164246.0111.50102S. LaPorta,TE17144.040.20000Z. Knight,RB23134.386.50000J. Williams,WR123299.7192.41101J. Reeves-Maybin,LB17231.530.20001J. Goff,QB1732210.7111.22605T. Bridgewater,QB12-2-1.01-2.00000J. Cabinda,FB4100.000.00000K. Raymond,WR1777510.7404.40122J. Gibbs,RB151829455.23663.01023942Receiving
name GP REC TGTS YDS AVG TD LNG YDS/G YAC FD C. Reynolds,RB17554790282.859.02M. Jones Jr.,WR65103570165.89.02D. Montgomery,RB14162411770198.4149.07D. Ozigbo,RB31188082.75.00A. St. Brown,WR161191641,51513107094.7668.075S. LaPorta,TE178612088910104852.3358.048Z. Knight,RB21188084.013.00J. Williams,WR1224423541526329.5105.014M. Rodriguez,LB171166060.40.01J. Reynolds,WR1740646081553335.8173.032D. Skipper,T111144040.45.00B. Wright,TE1413149171256.549.02D. Peoples-Jones,WR85758120207.313.03K. Raymond,WR1735444891414128.8214.020K. Dorsey,CB131131310312.49.01A. Green,WR91222020.21.00J. Mitchell,TE152228140241.912.01J. Gibbs,RB155271316612421.1314.020Defense
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumblesname GP SOLO AST TOTAL SACK SCKYDS TFL PD INT TD FF FR FTD L. Onwuzurike, DL10 4 1 5 1 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Reynolds, RB17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Barnes, LB16 41 37 78 1 12 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 T. Alualu, DL2 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Montgomery, RB14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Campbell, LB17 49 40 89 2 14 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 Q. Bohanna, DL3 3 3 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Pittman, LB17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. St. Brown, WR16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 K. Joseph, SAF15 68 13 81 0 0 1 11 4 0 0 0 0 S. LaPorta, TE17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. McQuaide, LS9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Branch, DB15 50 24 74 1 6 7 13 3 0 0 0 0 J. Jacobs, CB15 49 6 55 0 0 2 8 3 0 0 0 0 C. Lucas, CB12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I. Buggs, DT10 7 5 12 1 6 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 C. Gardner-Johnson, SAF3 16 1 17 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 J. Reeves-Maybin, LB17 4 3 7 1 13 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 M. Rodriguez, LB17 9 6 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Paschal, DL12 17 8 25 1 9 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 T. Walker III, SAF17 41 16 57 1 8 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 J. Houston, LB2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Irvin, LB2 1 0 1 1 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Fox, P17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Daniels, TE3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. McNeill, DL13 17 15 32 5 43 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 A. Anzalone, LB16 85 44 129 3 32 7 6 0 0 0 1 0 I. Melifonwu, SAF17 23 8 31 3 30 4 8 2 0 0 0 0 B. Wright, TE14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Goff, QB17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R. Okwara, DL16 3 6 9 2 20 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 T. Nowaske, LB2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Martin, DL3 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Cominsky, DL16 14 22 36 2 16 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 W. Harris, CB17 12 5 17 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 C. Sutton, CB17 50 15 65 0 0 4 6 1 0 0 0 0 J. Cabinda, FB4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 K. Raymond, WR17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 K. Vildor, CB5 9 1 10 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 K. Dorsey, CB13 3 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 J. Okwara, OLB9 5 1 6 2 8 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 B. Jones, DT17 13 13 26 1 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Hutchinson, DL17 36 15 51 11.5 98.5 14 7 1 0 0 2 0 C. Harris, DL13 10 3 13 1.5 12.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 -
passing yards
837rushing yards
183receiving yards
274tackles
19interceptions
1Passing
name GP CMP ATT CMP% YDS YDS/G TD INT SACK SYL RTG J. Goff,QB37711169.4%837279.040745103.3Rushing
name GP CAR YDS AVG LNG YDS/G TD FUM LST FD C. Reynolds,RB3111.010.31001D. Montgomery,RB3391834.71661.020411A. St. Brown,WR3122.020.70000J. Williams,WR314242.04214.01001J. Goff,QB3930.371.00101J. Gibbs,RB3291445.03148.031138Receiving
name GP REC TGTS YDS AVG TD LNG YDS/G YAC FD D. Montgomery,RB36745801415.035.04A. St. Brown,WR322342741213091.3123.018S. LaPorta,TE32127176811658.795.011J. Williams,WR369791312426.34.05J. Reynolds,WR38141321713344.036.07B. Wright,TE211292902914.527.01A. Firkser,TE31188082.74.00J. Cabinda,FB31100000.03.00J. Gibbs,RB3111494902031.3113.04Defense
TacklesSacksInterceptionsFumblesname GP SOLO AST TOTAL SACK SCKYDS TFL PD INT TD FF FR FTD L. Onwuzurike, DL3 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D. Barnes, LB3 4 2 6 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 T. Alualu, DL3 3 3 6 0.5 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Campbell, LB3 8 7 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Pittman, LB3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 K. Joseph, SAF3 8 2 10 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 B. Branch, DB3 14 6 20 1 9 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 C. Gardner-Johnson, SAF3 5 7 12 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 J. Reeves-Maybin, LB3 2 3 5 0.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 M. Rodriguez, LB3 5 1 6 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 J. Reynolds, WR3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Paschal, DL3 2 2 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 A. McNeill, DL3 1 3 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Anzalone, LB3 19 4 23 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 I. Melifonwu, SAF3 10 5 15 2 13.5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 R. Okwara, DL3 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J. Cominsky, DL3 1 6 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 W. Harris, CB3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. Sutton, CB3 7 1 8 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 K. Vildor, CB3 8 4 12 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 K. Dorsey, CB3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B. Jones, DT3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. Hutchinson, DL3 8 2 10 3 19 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
Lions Depth Chart
Lions Injury Report
Lions Odds & Projections
Bates officially signed a two-year contract with the Lions on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Presumably the contract is structured in such a way that the Lions could move on during training camp if Bates isn't able to replicate his trademark leg strength throughout the preseason, but the two-year deal is notable because NFL vagabonds Michael Badgley and James Turner are also on the roster. The Lions will hope Bates can replicate the success of spring football sensation Brandon Aubrey, who parlayed an excellent performance in the USFL into a record-setting rookie campaign with the Cowboys in 2023. Potentially playing in the comfy confines of Ford Field and being situated in a high-powered Detroit offense, Bates could be an immediate fantasy difference maker.
Niemann signed with the Lions on Monday. The veteran linebacker played in seven games and on 131 special teams snaps for Denver in 2023, but he did not play a down on defense. Niemann did record a career-high 70 tackles the year before with the Cardinals, and he finished with at least 44 tackles every year from 2019 through 2021 with the Chiefs. In Detroit, Niemann should have a chance to compete for playing time behind outside linebackers Derrick Barnes and Jack Campbell.
Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Thursday that Reader (quadriceps) may not be ready for the start of training camp, per NFL.com. Reader inked a two-year deal with the Lions' back in March, but he has yet to take the field as he continues to recover from a quadriceps issue that he sustained late last year. Injuries have been a concern for the 29-year-old as of late, causing him to miss 10 total games over the last two seasons. Once Reader returns to full health, he's expected to remain one of the league's best run-stoppers in 2024.
Knight (shoulder) has been a limited participant in Lions' OTAs, Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press reports. Knight sustained a torn labrum and missed the Lions' final 12 games in 2023, but he's been cleared for seven-on-seven and light team work as of last week. The 23-year-old running back has also been ramping up his workload in hopes of returning for Detroit's mandatory minicamp. Once Knight is back at full health, he's expected to compete for a depth spot in the Lions' backfield ahead of the 2024 season.
Gibbs has missed spring practices due to a soft tissue injury, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. The Lions expect Gibbs to be ready for the start of training camp in late July, though coach Dan Campbell noted that the running back's absence this spring is a missed opportunity for growth. Gibbs nonetheless figures to be a huge part of Detroit's offense this season, with the big question being whether he'll take away some of the work that went to backfield mate David Montgomery last year.
Dorsey was carted to the locker room with a lower leg injury just as Wednesday's practice ended, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. Dorsey signed with Detroit last offseason and won the team's starting kick returner duties, tallying 244 return yards in 2023. The 26-year-old cornerback was slated to compete for a depth role in the Lions' secondary as the offseason progressed, but that opportunity could be in jeopardy after Dorsey was carted off the field Wednesday.
Branch recently underwent a cleanup procedure on his lower left leg and will likely be sidelined until training camp, Colton Pouncey of The Athletic reports. The Lions initially thought Branch's lower left leg injury would heal on its own, but he elected to undergo a procedure so he could rehab ahead of the regular season. However, coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Branch is progressing well and will likely be able to do some work before the regular season begins, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Branch was recently seen on a knee scooter around the team's facility. The 22-year-old was solid as a rookie last year, tallying 74 tackles (50 solo), including a sack, along with 13 pass defenses, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a touchdown.
Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Williams is "a man on a mission" and has made notable improvements this offseason, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Williams hasn't yet lived up to his 12th overall draft capital from back in 2022, but he's also faced unique hurdles to begin his NFL career. His big-play ability is undeniable, as is the opportunity for a third playmaker to emerge in Detroit's passing game behind standouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, though plenty of targets should be distributed to running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Potential for a year-three breakout is still there, but it depends on Williams truly logging an impressive offseason and earning consistent targets in a crowded offense.