The Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs sat out the preseason game against the Washington Commanders, but he surely loved watching his team come out on top at Ford Field, even though most starters were spectators. The Honolulu Blues had their first victory of the preseason, and their defense stood out in a 17-13 result.
During the game, the former teammate of Gibbs, Craig Reynolds, who now plays for the Commanders, faced the Lions’ Avonte Maddox. At one point in the game, Maddox made a tackle on Reynolds for a five-yard loss, with the Lions star eventually ending the game with two total tackles.
Maddox’s tackle of Reynolds was his highlight of the game, and he recently shared a snapshot of the moment on Instagram, with Reynolds kneeling in the background in disappointment. Jahmyr Gibbs was quick to notice his former teammate, who was once part of the RB room, taking a playful jab at him.
“Get up, Craig,” wrote Gibbs on Avonte Maddox’s Instagram post.
“Get up Craig”
Craig Reynolds had a four-year stint (2021-2025) in the Motor City before recently signing for Washington. While he struggled to make a mark against his former team, the other Commanders running backs also could not break through the defense’s wall.
Avonte Maddox Makes His Presence Felt in the Secondary
The Commanders’ rushing game struggled to make an impact against the Lions’ defense. Even though three running backs, including Craig Reynolds, took the field, they had only had 35 rushing yards. In comparison, the Lions’ RBs, even without Jahmyr Gibbs in the lineup, completely outplayed them.
Besides being tackled by Avonte Maddox, the veteran had a poor showing in the preseason game, completing only 2 carries for 2 rushing yards and ranking last among all the Commanders running backs who played that day.
GettyAvonte Maddox
In contrast, the Lions star had a productive game, making his presence felt in the Lions’ CB room, which has significant depth concerns after the exit of Terrion Arnold. In addition to two tackles, he registered one TFL last Saturday, placing him among the contenders for the final 53-man team.
While the Lions will be aiming to continue the momentum heading into the next season, Jahmyr Gibbs has yet to take the field since signing the record-breaking NFL contract earlier this month.
Lions’ Running Game Impresses Despite Jahmyr Gibbs’ Absence
Jahmyr Gibbs recently became the highest-paid running back in the NFL after signing a $67.5 million contract earlier this month, which is set to pay him $22.5 million a year. With that, he is now back in regular training with his team, but he has yet to play a game in the new season.
GettyJared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs
The Lions’ first two preseason games against the Bengals and Commanders saw a majority of the Lions’ starters on the sidelines, avoiding any injury risk before the big game against the Saints in Week 1. Despite Gibbs’ and backup Isiah Pacheco’s absence, the franchise’s rushing game was a point of focus with 169 rushing yards.
Former UEL standout Jacob Saylors turned heads, rushing for 32 yards on 6 carries, while Trayveon Williams put up the best number with 36 yards on 10 carries. All eyes are on whether Gibbs will finally get game reps when they take on the Indianapolis Colts next Saturday in the final preseason game.
Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs Hilariously Trolls Former Teammate With 3-Word Message