Getty Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. announced on October 24 that he will step away from the team to tend to a personal matter.
The Detroit Lions were without wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. due to “personal” reasons in Week 7. Now, he won’t be available for the rest of the season.
Jones announced on Instagram on October 24 that he is stepping away from the team to tend to family matters.
“I just want to say that I have so much love and respect for the Ford family, the city of Detroit, my teammates and coaches,” Jones wrote on Instagram. “To be brief, I am stepping away from the team to take care of personal family matters.
“Although this was no easy decision, I cannot be the person/player that I need to be for this team as well as tend to my family from afar. This organization has been amazing showing love and support for myself and my family over the years and this time is no different. For that I am appreciative. To my brothers and coaches, I will be rooting for you every step of the way! This is the year! Go get it!!!”
Marvin Jones Jr. announces he’s stepping away from the team to take care of family matters
The Detroit News’ Justin Rogers reported that as a result of the wide receiver’s decision, Jones and the Lions agreed that the team will release him from the active roster on October 24.
Marvin Jones announced via Instagram he’s stepping away from the Detroit Lions to attend to a family matter. As part of an agreement between team and player, the Lions will be releasing him on the transaction report later today.
Lions Release WR Marvin Jones Jr.
Less than a half hour after Jones announced he will miss the rest of the season to tend to a family matter, the Lions officially released the receiver.
In addition to his release, the Lions announced placing running back Mohamed Ibrahim on practice squad/injured and signed running back Jermar Jefferson to the practice squad.
#Lions announce roster moves:
Released WR Marvin Jones Jr.
Placed RB Mohamed Ibrahim on Practice Squad/Injured
Signed RB Jermar Jefferson to the Practice Squad
Jones has been a reliable receiver throughout his career. After beginning his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Jones signed with the Lions prior to the 2016 season. His first season in Detroit was the best statistical campaign of his career — 61 catches, 1,101 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
He led the NFL with 18 yards per reception in 2016.
Jones spent five seasons in Detroit before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. After two years in Jacksonville, Jones returned to Detroit this season. However, he wasn’t very involved in the offense to begin 2023.
In the first six games, Jones had 5 receptions for 35 yards on 10 targets. He leaves the team tied for ninth on the Lions in receiving yards.
Detroit’s decision to sign Jefferson to replace Ibrahim on the practice squad comes as no surprise. Jefferson spent the preseason with the Lions, who are scrambling to keep running backs healthy this season.
Ibrahim suffered a dislocated hip during Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Lions WR Depth Heading Into Week 8
Detroit is fortunate that Jones’ decision came on October 24 rather than at the end of the month. As a result, the Lions still have a week until the NFL trade deadline if they wish to acquire a wide receiver in a trade.
The Lions have been connected to wideout rumors since the NFL draft. Those will probably heat up again over the next week, especially with receiver Kalif Raymond also dealing with an injury.
Raymond left Week 7 during the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Raymond is third among Lions receivers in catches and yards this season.
But unless Detroit makes a major trade at wideout, the Lions will simply be counting on more from the receivers already on the roster.
Detroit leading receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is already on pace for 124 catches and 1,350 yards. So, the Lions can’t really ask for more production from him.
But depth receivers Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams could get more opportunities without Jones the rest of the season. Reynolds is second on the team with 380 receiving yards and leads the Lions with 18.1 yards per catch.
Williams has posted 4 receptions for 55 yards in three games since returning from his suspension.
The Lions will likely also continue to feature rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. He is second on the team with 49 targets and 35 catches.