GODWIN IGWEBUIKE

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions aren’t revealing who will handle kickoff returns in this weekend’s season-opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles. “I’m not going to give that away obviously, but we’ll find out on Sunday,” Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. Maurice Alexander is another name to watch on the practice squad. There’s guys on the practice squad depending on who we bring up, which is a whole other conversation. Players can be elevated and returned to the practice squad three times before needing to clear waivers, for those wondering.

PITTSBURGH -- The Detroit Lions will play most of their starters for about two quarters in the preseason finale on Sunday against the Steelers. But with cut-down day looming on Tuesday, the Lions also will be paying close attention to so many of their bubble players. Head coach Dan Campbell said this week 8-10 roster jobs remain competitive heading into the cut to 53 players. So now the Lions are giving him even more to see if he can carve out a big enough role to win a roster job. But Jackson has played his way onto the bubble, and could be threatening Jefferson’s spot on the team.

Godwin Igwebuike's tiebreaking 2-yard run with 4:03 left led the Detroit Lions to a 27-26 victory at Indianapolis.

Godwin Igwebuike's tiebreaking 2-yard run with 4:03 left led the Detroit Lions to a 27-26 victory at Indianapolis.

A week ago, the Detroit Lions looked as if they had finished their season early.

Kyler Murray had a shaky performance and that helped the Detroit Lions stun the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 on Sunday.

Here’s what, you know what I think about honestly,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said when asked about the challenges of the previous week. It just, you know, wasn’t good enough.”Rookie Jermar Jefferson was active for this game but didn’t see the ball. I don’t know what else to do. “I don’t know. Like I said, I don’t think we’ll find anyone in this locker room that isn’t that way.

The Denver Broncos honored the late Demaryius Thomas with a 38-10 win over Detroit and tributes including a video montage and a moment of silence.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are likely staring down another weekend without D’Andre Swift in the lineup, with the running back missing another practice on Friday. Swift missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury and hasn’t practiced this week, with Lions coach Dan Campbell saying it’s unlikely he plays against the Denver Broncos in Week 14. “I would say it’s unlikely,” Campbell said of Swift. “Get them out of the infirmary and see if we can get a good practice and get ready for Denver here. Igwebuike had only two carries for 8 yards, but his lone reception for 13 yards was one of the game’s most important plays.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions (0-10-1) are back at Ford Field after their brief Thanksgiving break, looking for that first win of the season while also getting the chance to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) in Week 13. Detroit Lions to honor Oxford shooting victims during Vikings game at Ford Field“Those guys are on our minds,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. Right now, that’s the best way to help them.”Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Matchups to watch, key questions heading into Week 13 | Looking ahead: Minnesota Vikings can extend winning streak over Detroit Lions to 9 games in Week 13These posts run through players and matchups to watch, providing a preview of the Vikings while answering key questions ahead of Sunday afternoon’s game. He then landed with the short-lived XFL’s Seattle Dragons before signing a futures deal after the 2020 season in Detroit. The rest is history, with Igwebuike’s impressive camp and preseason earning him a roster spot with the Lions as a running back.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (0-10-1) and their quest for that first win of the season continues, with the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) coming to Ford Field in Week 13. Williams ran 15 times for 65 yards, catching five passes for 18 yards last week against the Bears last week. Pro Football Focus has him allowing 13 catches on 15 targets for 155 yards and one touchdown in coverage. Lions QB Jared Goff vs. Vikings S Harrison SmithHarrison Smith’s first interception of the season last week was so smooth that he earned a spot on the matchup to watch list. The Vikings limited the third-year tight end to two catches for 22 yards in Week 5.

ALLEN PARK -- It’s been a long road to this point for Detroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike. Williams ran 15 times for 65 yards after Swift went down on Thanksgiving. He’s started eight of nine games this season, running for 388 yards and two touchdowns while catching 21 balls for 117 yards. “And Cabinda, I think he’s a guy you can hand the ball off to and he can play fullback, and he catches the ball real well too. Lions coach Dan Campbell says RB D’Andre Swift remains at least a week away from playing

ALLEN PARK -- Prized rookie offensive tackle Penei Sewell was spotted back at Detroit Lions practice after missing Wednesday’s session with an illness. Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge was also back on the practice field after missing yesterday with an illness too. Running back D’Andre Swift (shoulder), edge defender Trey Flowers (knee), linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) and cornerback Bobby Price (shoulder) were not spotted. “I like the depth of our backfield,” Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said. Flowers has been out since the team’s tie in Pittsburgh, missing four games this season due to multiple injuries.

The winless Detroit Lions may be without their best player against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Detroit Lions (0-8-1) tied the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3-1) 16-16 in a wet, sloppy Week 10 game from Heinz Field. Grade: FRunning backs: With that said, D’Andre Swift was this team’s best shot in Pittsburgh through and through. Hockenson and Wright, with Matt Nelson subbing in, were factors in the Lions running heavy sets and pounding the rock so efficiently, though. Grade: D+Offensive line: Yeah, that was pretty solid, and Penei Sewell sure looked comfortable with his move back to right tackle. Fox dropped a beauty that landed on the 1-yard line, but a questionable call brought it out to the 20-yard line.

The Detroit Lions have a lot of long-suffering fans and they’re starting to show their displeasure by simply not showing up for games to watch the NFL’s only winless team at Ford Field.

The Lions announced on Thursday morning they are moving Corey Ballentine to injured reserve. Ballentine is the 14th player to land on IR already, by far a high in the NFC North. Detroit did not announce a corresponding roster move heading into the final day of practice for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both Decker and Strong returned to practice this week and are eligible to return to the 53-man roster at any time. He is expected to play left tackle when he returns to the field, bumping rookie Penei Sewell back to right tackle.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have filled their 53rd roster spot, claiming cornerback Corey Ballentine off waivers via the New York Jets. Ballentine suffered a knee injury returning a kick in the preseason and was waived off injured reserve by the Jets earlier this week. Ballentine, 25, has appeared in 28 games with four starts across three seasons between the Jets and the Giants. Ballentine didn’t see a defensive snap in the six games he played for the Jets last year. Melifonwu saw 12 defensive snaps in the opener, recovering a late fumble in Detroit’s 41-33 loss to the 49ers.

Good luck finding another team in the league that has undergone more substantial change than the Detroit Lions. And as those new-look Detroit Lions ran up the tunnel after their first half of the new era, they were showered with boos by the home crowd at Ford Field. Rookie Ifeati Melifonwu pounced on the ball, giving Detroit 52 seconds to go 70 yards for a stunning comeback. Welcome back, Detroit Lions football. -- There’s a reason the Los Angeles Rams gave Detroit Jared Goff and three draft picks, including two first-rounders, for Matthew Stafford.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions announced one of the most unusual 53-man rosters in the league on Tuesday, opting to go with no kickers at all. Here’s a breakdown of who’s in, who’s out and what’s next for this squad in the coming days. That’s a dramatic position change, and the Lions gave him very little time to prepare his mind and body for it. Secondary (10)In: CB Jeff Okudah, CB Amani Oruwariye, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB A.J. Parker, CB Jerry Jacobs, S/CB Bobby Price, S Tracy Walker, S Will Harris, S Dean Marlowe, S C.J.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have elected to carry six receivers, just two tight ends and a whole slew of young defensive backs in the secondary. Yes, that means Tom Kennedy made the team at receiver, despite the Lions’ trade for Trinity Benson earlier in the day. Other bubble players who made the team include DT Kevin Strong, LB Anthony Pittman, CB Bobby Price and CB Jerry Jacobs. Parker, CB Jerry Jacobs, S/CB Bobby Price, S Tracy Walker, S Will Harris, S Dean Marlowe, S C.J. MooreOut: CB Mike Ford, CB Corn Elder, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, S Jalen Elliott, S Alijah HolderSpecialists (2)In: P Jack Fox, LS Scott DalyOut: K Zane Gonzalez, K Randy Bullock

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions went winless in the preseason, capped off with a 27-17 loss on Friday night to the Indianapolis Colts. Secondary (10)In: CB Jeff Okudah, CB Amani Oruwariye, CB Mike Ford, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Corn Elder, CB A.J. Parker, S Tracy Walker, S Will Harris, S Dean Marlowe, S C.J. I have no idea what to make of the Lions benching Randy Bullock for Zane Gonzalez in the preseason finale. Perhaps Bullock had already locked in the job, and Detroit just didn’t want to risk injury or whatever.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions put the bows on another winless preseason, falling to the Indianapolis Colts 27-17 in their exhibition finale. This post will run through players trending up and those not, heading into Tuesday’s final roster cuts. Trending upDetroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike (35) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during their NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit, on Friday, August 27, 2021. Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) scores a touchdown during their NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit, on Friday, August 27, 2021. Related stories:Instant observations: Detroit Lions go winless in preseason again, lose QB Tim Boyle to injury tooDetroit Lions lose 27-17 to Indianapolis Colts to finish preseason winless: Live updates recapWith roster cuts looming, Detroit Lions could lose QB Tim Boyle to thumb injury for ‘some time’

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have their one-two punch of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams out of the backfield. Still, they continue to evaluate their running back depth ahead of the preseason finale and final roster cuts. A battle,” Lions running backs and assistant head coach Duce Staley said. This will be a big game for them.”The Lions and Colts are expected to rest their starters in Friday’s exhibition. “That third running back spot, it’s very competitive right now.”Reynolds came out of nowhere with his surprise push for a roster spot.

“And he’s like, ‘Yo, you’re going to be playing running back.’ I’m like, ‘Yo Lord, like, chill out. Maybe I’ll play semi-pro somewhere, play running back, but, uh ...“He’s like, ‘You’re gonna play running back.’ I’m like, ‘All right, Lord, let me. Igwebuike hadn’t played running back since all the way back during his days at Pickerington North High School in Ohio. Yo, Godwin, you’re going to be a running back. “I had to see him call him like, ‘Yo, what’s what’s my man calling me for?’ Uh, yeah, it is a little PTSD (because that’s usually bad news).

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions announced Brad Holmes as their new general manager only hours ago but wasted little time signing three players to futures contracts. Detroit signed defensive back Godwin Igwebuike, defensive end Robert McCray and tight end Hunter Thedford to futures contracts. Related: What they’re saying nationally about Lions hiring Brad Holmes as general manager | Lions tout new GM Brad Holmes’ expertise with latest technology, analyticsIgwebuike has spent time with the Buccaneers, 49ers, Eagles, Jets and the XFL’s Seattle Dragons. He caught five career passes for 48 yards after converting from defensive end to tight end in 2017. Related: Detroit Lions sign 5 players to futures contracts