Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

Lions thinned at RB, confident ‘someone will step up’

Starter David Montgomery missed practice for the Detroit Lions on Thursday, leaving the team hopeful rookie Jahmyr Gibbs can return from a hamstring injury for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.

Gibbs was limited at Thursday’s practice and did not play in the last two games, including what looks like a costly win over the Buccaneers last week.

Craig Reynolds stepped into a bigger role last week after Montgomery left Detroit’s victory with a rib injury. Campbell said earlier this week Montgomery could be out multiple games.

Reynolds rushed for 15 yards on 10 carries at Tampa Bay but was limited Thursday with toe and hamstring injuries. He did not practice Wednesday.

Gibbs is “trending the right direction,” head coach Dan Campbell said. A first-round pick, Gibbs didn’t play in the Lions’ wins over the Carolina Panthers or Buccaneers.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said the loss of Montgomery is significant for an offense that had identified him as the featured back, but believes the Lions have the depth to hold up.

“He was a bell cow for us,” Johnson said. “But like we’ve had so often already this year in the receiver room and the O-line room, someone will step up and rise to the occasion, there’s no doubt about it.”

The Lions already were without backup running back Zonovan Knight, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum.

–Field Level Media

Jun 13, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) during mini camp drills at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon: Broncos want Javonte Williams to win job

Melvin Gordon re-signed with the Denver Broncos expecting a timeshare of sorts with second-year running back Javonte Williams.

Two weeks into training camp, Gordon thinks the picture might have changed.

“I think they have a plan on what they want heading in, but as far as the rotation goes, I really don’t know,” Gordon said Wednesday, per the team transcript. “I think they want ‘Vonte’ to be the guy, but we do rotate. He’ll take the first series and then the second series with the [No. 1 offense], I’ll take. Sometimes we switch, but you know kind of how it is. I don’t know how they will do the rotation.”

In 2021, Williams emerged from a backup role to earn an even split — 203 carries apiece — with Gordon, who led the team with 918 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Williams (903, four) was fourth on the team with 43 receptions and had three TD catches.

Gordon and Williams are adapting to new coach Nathaniel Hackett’s offense. Hackett takes over after serving as offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, where Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon shared carries.

“I have to go back and look at how they did things in Green Bay with the carries and things like that. My mom says just go out here and compete and go as hard as I can,” Gordon said. “I don’t know what the future holds other than that, but I just want to put my best foot forward so when I do so out there, they go, ‘OK, we need to get him out there more.’ I know I have the game; I know I can play and I still have the juice, but we’ll see.”

Gordon, 29, signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal to come back to the Broncos based on the big picture pitch from Hackett.

“I know when I get in there, I have to make it count and that’s all that matters,” Gordon said. “I have to do what it takes — ‘Hack’ told me coming in, it’s about the Super Bowl. It’s about winning the Super Bowl and we are going to do whatever is best for the team. I’m bought into that 100 percent because I want the ring more than anything.”

–Field Level Media

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NFL Week 11 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

Big Ben leads a comeback over the Jaguars. The Saints continue to roll. Monday night featured an action-packed offensive showing between the Rams and the Chiefs

  • Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff combine for 64 completions, 893 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
  • 4 quarterbacks threw 3 interceptions
  • Tyreek Hill made 10 receptions for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • 6 Players with 100+ rushing yards
  • Saquon Barkley, Mark Ingram II, Adrian Peterson, and Phillip Lindsay all rush for 2 touchdowns

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NFL Week 6 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

NFL Week 7 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

We almost got to see a day full of NFC North vs AFC East matchups. The Patriots defeated the Bears in game that came down to a few feet on a final play. The Vikings dismantled the Jets, and the Lions beat Miami by 11. Green Bay had their long needed bye week, and Buffalo was trounced by the Colts 37-5 (a score that had never happened before). The NFC North won the day 2-1, pushing the Bears from 1st to 4th in a matter of a few hours. The NFC North is a certainly one of the closest divisions, with all four teams sitting at 3 or 4 wins.

Notable Performances

  • Patrick Mahomes tossed 358 yards and 4 touchdowns
  • Eli Manning and Matt Ryan combined for 778 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • Michael Roberts and TY Hilton both caught 2 touchdowns
  • Todd Gurley and Latavius Murray both rushed for 60+ yards and 2 touchdowns
  • 13 Players with 100+ receiving yards

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NFL Week 4 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

NFL Week 4 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

It would appear that the Fitzmagic is gone. Following a dismal first-half performance in Chicago, he was replaced by Jameis Winston. While neither quarterback was able to get much going, Winston will be the starter following Tampa Bay’s bye week. On the other side of the field, Mitchell Trubisky had the game of his life, tossing for 6 touchdowns and 354 yards. On Thursday night, Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins combined for just under 900 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. The receivers also had a field day, with Cooper Kupp recording 2 Touchdowns on 162 yards, and Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen both having strong performances for the Vikings.

Notable performances:

  • Jared Goff, Andrew Luck, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Matt Ryan all toss for 400+ yards
  • 23 players recorded 100+ receiving yards
  • Alvin Kamara rushes for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • Nick Chubb and Mike Davis rush for 100+ yards and score 2 touchdowns
  • Jared Cook caught for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns

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NFL WEEK 3 STAT RECAP TABLE: QB, RB AND WR

NFL Week 3 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

In a shootout at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Drew Brees passed Brett Favre’s record of 6300 pass completions. He tossed for 3 touchdowns and ran for 2, including the game winner in overtime.

On Monday night, Big Ben Roethlisberger came out firing in the first half, recording 3 Touchdowns to Vance McDonald, Antonio Brown, and Ryan Switzer. Following a slow start and 3 first-half interceptions, Ryan Fitzpatrick led a comeback but came up short, sending the Steelers to 1-1-1 and the Bucs to 2-1.

Notable performances:

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 411 yards (his third consecutive with 400+ passing yards), 3 Touchdowns, and 3 Interceptions
  • Drew Brees and Matt Ryan combine for over 700 passing yards and 8 touchdowns
  • Calvin Ridley caught for 146 Yards and 3 Touchdowns
  • Robert Woods records 10 catches for 104 yards and 2 Touchdowns
  • Adrian Peterson rushes 19 times for 120 yards and 2 Touchdowns
  • Christian McCaffrey gained 184 yards on 28 rushes

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What to Look For - Week 9 Wide Receivers/Kickers

NFL Week 2 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

Ben Roethlisberger threw for 452 yards and 3 TDs on Sunday – and ended up as the second-best QB on the field. Patrick Mahomes tossed for 326 YDS and 6 TDs.
Other notable performances:

  • Todd Gurley and AJ Green produce 3 touchdowns each
  • Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs combine for 259 YDs and 3 TDs
  • New Orleans WR Michael Thomas had 12 catches for 89 YDs and 2 TDs
  • Blake Bortles threw for 377 YDs, and 4 TDs

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This weeks odds and lines