Detroit Lions tender 13 exclusive-rights free agents, including record-setting punter Jack Fox
The record-setting punter was among 13 exclusive-rights free agents who were tendered by the Lions on Wednesday afternoon. If any of the players practice well enough to make the team, cool, Detroit is better off for it. And if any of them isn’t good enough to make the team, the Lions can move on without financial penalty. Offensive lineman Ryan McCollum and defensive back Jalen Elliott were the only exclusive-rights free agents Detroit did not tender. Wright was pressed into starting duty as an undrafted rookie because of all the injuries at tight end, and caught two touchdown passes.
mlive.comDetroit Lions add 2 defensive backs to COVID list, bringing total to 6 cases for the week
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions added cornerbacks Mark Gilbert and Ifeatu Melifonwu to the COVID reserve list, bringing the total to six cases on the week. Gilbert and Melifonwu join center Evan Brown, safety Tracy Walker, running back Jamaal Williams and cornerback Bobby Price on the COVID list. They have cornerbacks Corey Ballentine, Parnell Motley and Nickell Robey-Coleman on the practice squad, with a handful of moves expected Saturday afternoon. Walker landing on the COVID list could lead to even more shuffling by necessity in the defensive backfield. It’s also looking bare in the offensive backfield, with Swift and Williams down, not to mention in the defensive trenches.
mlive.comDetroit Lions reportedly signing cornerback from Pittsburgh’s practice squad
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are signing cornerback Mark Gilbert from the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers per ESPN. Gilbert, an undrafted rookie out of Duke, adds depth to a cornerback room lacking it after injuries to Jeff Okudah and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Gilbert is the cousin of four-time All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis and nephew of former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Sean Gilbert. The Lions started undrafted rookie Jerry Jacobs at cornerback opposite Amani Oruwariye last week, with fellow undrafted rookie A.J. Gilbert spent the offseason with the Steelers, landing on the practice squad before getting scooped by Detroit.
mlive.com‘I’m so over it:’ NFL not apologizing to Detroit Lions for no-call on delay of game
The Lions took a late 17-16 lead on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, but had to hold for another 68 seconds. But there was confusion, and the ball wasn’t snapped until the play clock was already dead. But based on a careful viewing of the CBS broadcast, the play clock was dead for about 1.77 seconds before that ball was snapped. So while delay of game is a judgment call, it seems obvious what the judgment should have been in this case. Yeah, there is, just because of the human element of play clock down to snap, that’s for sure,” former NFL referee Gene Steratore said on the CBS broadcast.
mlive.comDetroit Lions are heavy underdogs again ahead of Week 3 matchup with Baltimore Ravens
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions head into their matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens considered 7.5- and 9-point underdogs. Detroit hosts Baltimore back at Ford Field this weekend, looking for its first win of the season. The Lions enter this one off the short week, losing 35-17 to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. The Lions elevated veteran cornerback Daryl Worley from the practice squad, placing rookie cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve. Bobby Price and Jerry Jacobs could also see increased reps, with Amani Oruwariye in the CB1 role and undrafted rookie A.J.
mlive.comRookie Ifeati Melifonwu suffers serious injury, compounding Lions’ cornerback woes
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Detroit Lions are 0-2, and they’re hurting. Rookie Ifeati Melifonwu was pressed into a starting assignment in Green Bay because of the season-ending injury that Jeff Okudah suffered in Week 1. Melifonwu actually held his own early in the 35-17 loss to the Packers too, only to go down with a thigh injury coming out of halftime. “Yeah, it’s a bad one,” Campbell said in an interview room adjacent to the locker room after the game. Undrafted rookie Jerry Jacobs and recent waiver claim Corey Ballentine are the only other cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.
mlive.comLions activate Shelton, release Herron prior to finale
Detroit Lions head coach Darrell Bevell carries a game ball as he leaves the field following a 34-30 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
The Latest: Lions place DE Griffen on COVID-19 list
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Detroit Lions defensive end Everson Griffen was placed on the COVID-19 list a day before he was expected to play a key role against Green Bay. The Lions announced Griffen is on the list created for players who either test positive for the coronavirus or have been in close contact with an infected person. Detroit elevated defensive end Kareem Martin and offensive tackle Dan Skipper from the practice squad Saturday. The Lions acquired Griffen from Dallas in October and he has 2 1/2 sacks and three passes defended in five games. Running backs Matt Breida (COVID-19 list) and Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) were already sidelined.
Lions cut Hall and downgrade Swift to doubtful to play Bears
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions released receiver Marvin Hall and tight end Isaac Nauta on Saturday. The Lions also downgraded running back D’Andre Swift to doubtful for their game Sunday at Chicago due to an illness. The Lions fired coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn last week. The Lions activated cornerback Darryl Roberts from the injured list to bolster their banged-up secondary against Chicago. They also signed defensive tackle Frank Herron off the practice squad and elevated safety Bobby Price from the practice squad.