WR Marvin Jones sees first action at Detroit Lions training camp

ALLEN PARK — Wide receiver Marvin Jones had his first day of action at Detroit Lions training camp on Monday.

Jones was sidelined with a non-football related injury since camp started. Every day he could be seen running along the sideline with trainers..

“When you’re on the sideline looking at everybody having fun you’re like, ‘Ah.’ I knew it was going to come soon,’’ Jones said. ‘So yeah, it felt good overall to be out there, being in the flow, listening to the plays and all of that stuff.’’

It’s Jones’ second time-around with the Lions. He played in Detroit from 2016 to 2020, finishing with 36 touchdown catches in those five seasons. He then signed as a free agent with Jacksonville where he played two seasons. The LIons snapped him back up in the offseason with a one-year, $3 million deal.

The 33-year-old Jones thinks he’ll be a fit the same way he was during his first stint.

“Whatever the team needs for me, if that’s big plays, third downs, Red Zone obviously,’’ Jones said on Monday. “I plan on doing the same thing that I’ve done when I was here. I’m just excited — excited to be here with this team. Obviously it’s a new look from a while ago and it’s a great look. I’m just excited.’’

The vibe is different then it was when he left. The Lions appear to be a team on the way up, not struggling to a 5-11 record like in 2020.

“Everybody is just together, the camaraderie is there, (from) coaches on down. So it’s good to be a part of, it’s fun to be in meetings,’’ Jones said ‘So overall it’s just a great time.’’

He and quarterback Matthew Stafford had a good relationship and that’s something he hopes to build with Jared Goff who he appreciates.

“Just the plays that he makes, he knows where he wants to go with the ball. When you’re running your route you better turn your head around because he has great anticipation, that’s one thing that really sticks out,’’ Jones said. “That’s a great attribute to have as a quarterback obviously. His dedication to the game — you see it in the meeting rooms and it translates out here.’’