Tracking Detroit Lions free agency moves: Let the rebuild begin
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates a touchdown off a throw by quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Detroit Lions continue to dismantle last year’s free-agent class by cutting Chase Daniel, Danny Shelton
ALLEN PARK -- This time last year, Bob Quinn was putting together a free-agent class that he thought was finally going to push the Detroit Lions over the top. The most recent purges are quarterback Chase Daniel and defensive tackle Danny Shelton, who are getting released in the aftermath of Romeo Okwara’s big free-agent deal according to NFL Network. So Quinn spend big on the veteran Daniel to offer a steadying hand should Stafford go down again. Daniel finished 29 of 43 passing for the season, with 264 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. A recap of the Lions’ moves this week:SIGNED: NoneRE-SIGNED: DE Romeo Okwara, LB Jalen Reeves-MaybinLOST: LB Jarrad Davis (Jets), KR/PR/WR Jamal Agnew (Jaguars)CUT: OL Joe Dahl, QB Chase Daniel, DT Danny Shelton
mlive.comDetroit Lions reportedly trying to trade backup QB Chase Daniel
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have put another quarterback on the trade block, this time shopping Chase Daniel according to ESPN. Daniel signed a three-year, $13.05 million deal with Detroit just last offseason. Now change is afoot at the quarterback position, where Detroit has already agreed to send Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. The trade cannot be finalized until March 17, but the Lions will receive a third-round pick this year, a first-round pick next year and another first-round pick in 2022. Goff will count $27.8 million against the cap, in addition to the $17.8 million worth of dead money wrapped up in Stafford.
mlive.com7 potential cap causalities for Detroit Lions
But the Lions also will add $14 million in dead money to their cap, plus had to take on Jared Goff’s contract to complete the deal. DT Nick Williams: Signed a two-year, $10 million contract to help anchor Detroit’s defensive front last offseason. Detroit would save $4 million in cap space by cutting Shelton. That’s $42.15 million worth of quarterbacks, and that doesn’t account for any potential quarterbacks taken in the draft. Daniel is currently scheduled to count another $5.3 million against the 2021 cap, although Detroit could save $2.3 million by moving on.
mlive.comLions grades: Defense takes getting shredded to new levels in 40-point loss to Bucs
DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions were so bad that Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady got to rest the entire second half on Saturday. D’Andre Swift showed some explosiveness on his limited touches but lost a fumble for the second consecutive week. Swift’s fumble opened the second half, putting a sour taste on an already spoiled game. Grade: FBlaine Gabbert starts the second half and throws a TD to Gronk! He connected with Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown for touchdowns, then took the second half off.
mlive.comLions and makeshift coaching staff struggle against Bucs
Detroit Lions interim head coach Robert Prince on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first possession, they faced third-and-9 from their 19. Chase Daniel completed 13 of 18 passes, but for only 86 yards and never got the Lions past midfield. After a touchback on the kickoff to start the half, Lions running back D'Andre Swift fumbled on first down. That wasn't much fun.”The Lions allowed 588 yards, the second-highest total in team history and the highest in a regulation game.
Should the Lions just shut down Matthew Stafford after latest injury?
DETROIT -- Matthew Stafford has said over and over again he has no interest in shutting it down for a second straight season. The rib injury has been especially painful, but Stafford has continued to play, even with the Lions already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. But you really have to wonder whether the Lions should take that decision out of Stafford’s hands after his latest injury. Stafford lasted just one series before rolling his right ankle in the 47-7 loss against Tampa Bay on Saturday afternoon. That forced receivers coach Robert Prince into the interim interim head coaching role, while quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan called the offensive plays from the booth.
mlive.comBrady-led Bucs top Lions 47-7 to end 13-year playoff drought
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. The Bucs (10-5) set a franchise record with 588 yards and snapped the NFL’s second-longest postseason drought behind Cleveland’s 18-year run that can end Sunday. RECORD WATCHBrady has thrown a franchise-record 36 touchdowns and set a personal record with 348 yards passing by halftime. Tampa Bay set team records in points (34) and yards (410) in the first half. Lions: Stafford left the game with an ankle injury after he was 2 of 3 for 17 yards on his only possession.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford exits game early after ankle injury
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)DETROIT – Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford exited Saturday’s game at Ford Field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early after experiencing a reported ankle injury. Stafford injured his ankle during the first quarter of the game and was taken to the locker room. According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider, Adam Schefter, Detroit Lions backup Chase Daniel will be joining the game as a result. And now the injured Lions’ QB Matthew Stafford has gone to the locker room.
Detroit Lions can’t get anything going in 47-7 blowout loss to Tampa Bay Bucs: Live updates recap
14:57 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 36David Blough is on after the defense forces the turnover on downs. Detroit won’t get blanked today -- Bucs 40, Lions 711:01 -- Tampa Bay Bucs drive starts on own 18Third-and-3, timeout Detroit. HALFTIME -- Tampa Bay Bucs 34, Detroit Lions 0Halftime analysis: This Lions defense could go down as the worst ever. 9:02 -- Tampa Bay Bucs drive starts on own 9Great tackle by Jamal Agnew to pin the Bucs deep. 14:15 -- Tampa Bay Bucs drive starts on own 49Tampa Bay is rolling thanks to the short field.
mlive.comTannehill has 5 TDs, Titans rout Lions 46-25
The Titans (10-4) did their part with a second straight victory and fourth in five games to stay atop the AFC South. Henry capped the opening drive with a 3-yard TD run, his 15th this season. The Titans led 21-7 after a 75-yard TD pass from Tannehill to Corey Davis and a 17-yard TD run by Tannehill. Romeo Okwara sacked Tannehill two plays later for the Lions' first safety in 75 games, also against Tennessee on Sept. 18, 2016. The Titans put it away with 22 points in the fourth quarter with Tannehill's second TD run and two more TD passes.
Detroit Lions blown out 46-25 in Tennessee in Week 15: Live updates recap
FINAL -- Tennessee Titans 46, Detroit Lions 25Matthew Stafford did his best to keep the Lions in this game, but the defense couldn’t hold. Titans 46, Lions 258:54 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 40Chase Daniel is in the game at quarterback. Titans 39, Lions 2512:01 -- Tennessee Titans drive starts on own 39For those waiting on another look at that fake punt, same. Titans 24, Lions 189:22 -- Tennessee Titans drive starts on own 20The Titans have the ball back, and are driving. Titans 21, Lions 154:12 -- Tennessee Titans drive starts on own 3Romeo Okwara continues to make himself a ton of money.
mlive.comLions’ Frank Ragnow sees specialists for damaged vocal cord, ordered not to talk
The Detroit Lions center battled through a fractured throat that left him barely able to speak in Sunday’s loss against Green Bay. Now Ragnow has consulted with a series of specialists about the unusual injury, and there is some concern for his damaged vocal cords. “After seeing more specialists throughout yesterday, they basically brought it to it’s more of the vocal cord injury,” interim head coach Darrell Bevell said before practice on Thursday. It’s basically going to be up to the medical professionals and specialists to tell us if he can do that. Obviously we want to make sure we’re putting him out there in a safe environment, that he’s safe to be able to do that.
mlive.comLions players, coaches amazed that Frank Ragnow played so well after fracturing throat
“I think y’all know he’s a country guy,” running backs coach Kyle Caskey said, “and he’s not one to step away from any challenge.”True. Ragnow has played all 872 offensive snaps this season, tops in the league among centers. But, I mean, the dude played the rest of the game and I don’t know if he gave up a QB hit. But his game really started to take off when he moved back to center last year, and he has established his place among the elite in 2020. In the passing game, he’s blocked 571 times without allowing a single sack.
mlive.comLions’ Darrell Bevell explains why he prefers more mobile backup quarterbacks
Darrell Bevell, Lions offensive coordinator and interim head coach, has proven to prefer a more mobile backup quarterback than a tight-window thrower closer to Stafford’s style. Josh Johnson started last year as the primary backup, and it was Jeff Driskel to get the first crack at replacing Stafford in 2019. Bevell was asked if he preferred having a mobile backup, saying it opens up different areas of the game plan while simplifying things in certain spots. “Some things can be a little bit, I guess, simplified when you have a little bit more of a mobile quarterback,” Bevell said. If a play breaks down, just like any other quarterback, going to try and get out of trouble and find the open guy.”
mlive.comWith Matthew Stafford ailing, Detroit Lions add fourth QB Jordan Ta’amu to practice squad
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions announced on Wednesday they’ve signed a fourth quarterback, Jordan Ta’amu, and assigned him to the practice squad. Stafford was feeling better on Monday, and Detroit remains hopeful he’ll improve enough in time to play on Sunday in Tennessee. But ESPN reported the Lions were not “overly optimistic” about Stafford’s chances, and signing a fourth quarterback certainly suggests the concern is real. Ta’amu ran for 10 touchdowns in 19 starts at Ole Miss, in addition to throwing for 30 touchdowns and12 interceptions. Detroit also signed running back Jordan Scarlett to the practice squad, and cut running back Dalyn Dawkins and punter Arryn Siposs in the corresponding moves to the practice squad.
mlive.comMatthew Stafford reportedly has cartilage injury, Lions ‘not overly optimistic’ about him playing
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are holding out hope Matthew Stafford can play through his rib injury on Sunday. Stafford has suffered a rib cartilage injury, according to ESPN, and the Lions are “not overly optimistic” about his chances of playing on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. He suffered the injury on a fourth-quarter scramble in the 31-24 loss against Green Bay on Sunday. X-rays did not reveal any breaks after the game, Stafford started feeling better late Monday and Darrell Bevell left open the door for a return later in the week. The Lions did invest in the quarterback position last offseason, signing Chase Daniel to a three-year contract worth $13.05 million.
mlive.comLions will hold out hope all week that Stafford can play
The Detroit Lions will hold out hope as long as they can that Matthew Stafford can play at Tennessee with banged-up ribs. Stafford stayed in the game to hand off to Kerryon Johnson for a touchdown on the next play, but was evaluated by the team's medical staff on the sideline. Stafford went toward the locker room, returned to throw passes near the benches before going back out of sight. “That guy loves to play football and it’s going to take a lot to keep him out," Bevell said. STOCK UPThe Lions have missed on a lot of draft picks, but T.J. Hockenson is not one of them.
Rodgers-led Packers beat Lions 31-24, clinch NFC North title
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Detroit. Rodgers ran for a tiebreaking score in the third quarter and threw three touchdown passes, lifting the Green Bay Packers to a 31-24 win over the the Detroit Lions to clinch the NFC North title. “To have the whole thing come through Green Bay is something we’ve talked about for a long time," Rodgers said. “That would definitely be in our favor with the weather that we have in Green Bay. Green Bay repeated as division champion with its win and Minnesota’s loss to Tampa Bay earlier in the day.
Quick observations: Matthew Stafford injures ribs as Lions fall to Packers
And without their quarterback against one of the league’s best, Detroit lost 31-24 on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay averaged 9.8 yards in the first quarter, and Rodgers threw just two incomplete passes in the entire first half. No wonder Green Bay was able to run 26 of the first 29 plays of the second half. With Green Bay shredding Detroit’s defense and set to get the ball to open the second half, that was a huge play. (It helps he was the only one of the three to even play against Green Bay.)
mlive.comDetroit Lions come up short in 31-24 loss to Green Bay Packers in Week 14: Live updates recap
FINAL -- Green Bay Packers 31, Detroit Lions 24-- Green Bay made life hell for the Lions in the second half, holding the ball for all but three plays in the third quarter. Packers 31, Lions 246:30 -- Green Bay Packers drive starts on own 25Two throws to Davante Adams, and here come the Packers into Detroit’s territory. 6:11 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25Adrian Amos tackles T.J. Hockenson for a loss of 1 yard to open the drive. Lions 14, Packers 1410:27 -- Green Bay Packers drive starts on own 20Watching the Packers operate on second-and-10 versus what Detroit does week in and week out feels life two different sports. #GBvsDET inactives list 📝 https://t.co/6FaNx5wdC4 — Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 13, 2020--DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions are back at Ford Field to host the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 action.
mlive.comHalftime analysis: Lions QB Matthew Stafford looks fine after injuring throwing hand
DETROIT -- Matthew Stafford suffered an injury scare for the second time in as many weeks, this time injuring his throwing hand late in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against Washington. Stafford appeared fine and got the green light to stay in the game. Stafford also hooked up with Marvin Hall for a 55-yard touchdown pass to open the game. One injury situation worth monitoring though is at slot cornerback, where Justin Coleman has left the game with a knee injury. Mike Ford replaced him, then suffered an injury of his own on the penultimate play of the half.
mlive.comLions QB Matthew Stafford heads for locker room after taking hit to head
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been pulled from Sunday’s game against the Vikings while being evaluated for a suspected brain injury. Stafford took a big hit to the head on a fourth-quarter sack and was forced from the game. He headed for the blue medical tent behind Detroit’s bench, then returned to the locker room minutes later with multiple staffers. Stafford didn’t practice all week while on the COVID list, but passed at least three tests and was activated in time to play against the Vikings. But the wheels have come off in the second half, with the defense unable to generate stops against Minnesota’s offense.
mlive.comLions QB Matthew Stafford coming off COVID list, expected to start against Vikings
The Detroit Lions quarterback has made the trip to Minneapolis and will be activated from the COVID list in time for Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Matthew Stafford was unable to help his family -- the couple has three other young children -- due to the league-mandated quarantine. “He’s still the leader of this offense, the leader of this team,” backup quarterback Chase Daniel said. Linebacker Jarrad Davis was placed on the COVID list on Tuesday, then Stafford and safety Jalen Elliott (practice squad) followed him due to separate circumstances. The Lions also placed cornerback Darryl Roberts on injured reserve with a groin/hip issue that has dogged him for a while.
mlive.comLions QB Chase Daniel sticks to routine, admits past week was weirdest of 12-year career
His wife, Kelly Stafford, said on Instagram that the entire family has remained negative throughout the week. All of this caused veteran backup quarterback Chase Daniel to call this the weirdest week of his 12-year career. I thought we had a really good week of practice, really good communication. Golladay is “week to week” with a hip injury, while Agnew missed practice all week due to a rib ailment. It’s been a good week.”
mlive.comStafford On Reserve/COVID-19 List Again
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, although his wife Kelly said on social media he tested negative. The Reserve/COVID-19 list was created for players who either test positive or have been in close contact with an infected person. We just have to do the best we can to stay safe.”The Lions put linebacker Jarrad Davis on the list Tuesday. Three months ago, the Lions removed Stafford from the COVID-19 list after saying he received a false-positive test result. Kelly Stafford had plenty to say on her Instagram page in August after the false-positive test, lashing out at the league for publicly putting her husband on the list.
detroit.cbslocal.comStafford on Reserve/COVID-19 list, wife says he's negative
DETROIT – Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, although his wife Kelly said on social media he tested negative. The Reserve/COVID-19 list was created for players who either test positive or have been in close contact with an infected person. Some NFL teams have closed their training centers after players and or staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Three months ago, the Lions removed Stafford from the COVID-19 list after saying he received a false positive test result. Kelly Stafford had plenty to say on her Instagram page in August after the false positive test, lashing out at the league for publicly putting her husband on the list.
Detroit Lions sign another QB, David Blough, to 53-man roster before facing Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Detroit Lions made a few roster moves before boarding their plane to Jacksonville on Saturday, including signing quarterback David Blough to the 53-man roster and activating guard Joe Dahl from injured reserve. Detroit is also elevating practice squad tight end Isaac Nauta to the active list, per the NFL’s new COVID-era rules. He’s eligible to play on Sunday against the Jaguars, then return to the practice squad next week without penalty. It’s also possible another team wanted to poach Blough off the practice squad, and the Lions were reluctant to lose a quarterback they’ve developed over the last year-plus. He was let go on cut-down day and signed with the practice squad.
mlive.comFive Detroit Lions headlines to watch for the 2020 season
DETROIT After another long offseason that included doubts about the season being played because of the coronavirus were now less than two weeks away from NFL season kicking off and another year of Detroit Lions football. That said - Here are the headlines going into the 2020 season for the Lions. Matthew Stafford returnsQB Matthew Stafford is back after missing the final 8 games of last season. New facesThere are a ton of new faces with many of them on the Lions defense. Improvements on defenseBy any number the Lions defense was one of the worst in the league last year.
Trubisky hurts hip, pulled in Bears' 17-7 loss to Rams
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. The difference on that drive, Trubisky said, was the effective pass protection he received. The O-line did a great job just allowing me to sit back there, and I didnt really have to move around on that drive, Trubisky said. You just want to be out there with your team, Trubisky said. And if the injury were to force Trubisky out of the starting lineup, Miller said that is out of his control.