Tag: Amon-ra St. Brown

Lions WR Jameson Williams likely out rest of preseason after hamstring injury

Amon-Ra St. Brown expected back next week

ALLEN PARK — Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams could be out the rest of the preseason after sustaining a hamstring injury on Wednesday.

“There’s a good chance it probably could go through the preseason,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday morning prior to the second joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ankle injury, which also happened Wednesday, is not as serious. Campbell expects him back sometime next week.

Williams’ injury is more worrisome since he’s suspended for the first six games of the season due to an NFL gambling infraction.

Campbell wanted the speedy second-year receiver, who played only six games in 2022 due to injury, to get as many reps in preseason games as possible so he’d be ready to jump in after his absence. He played until late in the third quarter in the preseason opening win over the Giants on Friday when he was targeted seven times and had two catches for 18 yards.

“As long as he stays on top of the mental portion of it, you can get a lot out of the mental work,’’ Campbell said. “He grinds on that and takes care of the hamstring, we’ll take it as it comes.’’

This is the second camp injury for Williams who was injured on the second day of camp and missed the next four sessions.

Campbell said he and GM Brad Holmes have discussed adding another wide receiver.

“But to do that you have to move on from somebody and that’s a hard move too with other areas, other spots. We’re thinking about it,’’ Campbell said.

These absences open the door for younger receivers with an eye on a roster spot like Chase Cota, Dylan Drummond, Avery Davis and Antoine Green.

“Great opportunity. It’s another spot, honestly. This room is wide open, we’ve got a pretty good feel of some of these guys. We have a spot, potentially two, wide open,’’ Campbell said. “Cota you want it? Go get it. Drummond you want it? Go get it. Trinity Benson, we’re going to get him back a little bit today.

“Our eyes are wide open, we’re looking for guys,’’ Campbell said. “We have a track record in a three-year period here. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been drafted, who you are, what it is. You’ve got an opportunity, you want to earn it, go get it.’’

The Lions and Jaguars held their second joint practice on Thursday. They will meet in a preseason game at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Ford Field.

Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr., a former Jaguar, is in familiar situation at joint practice

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams down with injuries

ALLEN PARK — It’s like old home week at the Detroit Lions facility this week for wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr.

Wednesday was the first of two joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars before their preseason game on Saturday.

Jones is wearing a Lions jersey – number 0 to be exact – but for the past two seasons he’s played for the Jaguars. Of course, previous to that he had his first stint (2016-20) with the Lions.

It’s not just players on both teams – he knows coaches, trainers, you name it.

“The environment is great. I hear ‘Hey’ out there after every play … I’m like I’ve got to get in the huddle,’’ Jones said. “It’s fun to see them. Obviously we’ve been through a lot over there. It ended great there and I’ve been here too. It’s the same. Just good to be around.’’

Jones sees plenty of similarities between the two teams that both finished 9-8 last season.

“I saw a lot of parallels last year after we came here and they whooped our butt. I don’t think we lost another game. And vice-versa,’’ Jones said. “We were on the trajectory at the same time. Definitely, definitely similar. I think both are going to be successful.’’

From the day he signed as a free agent, Jones had said how happy he is to return to Detroit.

“I love (the vibe). It was my vibe for five years – going on the field, hearing the same songs, the tunnel. It’s all good,’’ Jones said.

On Wednesday during one of the special teams drills, he had a few words on the sidelines with Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. 

“I love him as a coach for sure,’’ Jones said.

Pederson had kind words for Jones too.

“I can’t say enough great things about Marvin. What a great leader. Helped us get into the postseason last year, came up big,’’ Pederson said. “Well liked in the community. I know he’s been here and fits in really well. Wish him the best.’’

Of course, now he’s playing for Dan Campbell and it puts a smile on his face.

“He’s been great. He’s a fiery guy, it’s easy for him to hype us up. He’s a former player who knows how to do it. Knows the flow of what we should be doing and where we should be at,’’ Jones said. “It’s been great.’’

NOTES: It was a one-two gut punch for wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on Wednesday. St. Brown went down with an apparent ankle injury and did not return to practice. Williams was going for a deep ball when he pulled up holding his right leg on what could be a hamstring injury. He also did not return to practice. Williams already missed 4 days early in camp with a leg injury. Dan Campbell wants to give him a lot of playing time in preseason contests since he will miss the first six weeks of the season due to an NFL gambling suspension. 

Lions add WR Antoine Green with final draft pick

ALLEN PARK — Wide receiver Antoine Green, who played at North Carolina, was drafted in the seventh round by the Lions on Saturday. He was the eighth and final pick for Detroit and the first wide receiver drafted by the Lions.

He’s a vertical specialist averaging 18.6 yards per catch. He’s explosive with a background in sprinting and long-jump/triple-jump. 

“My strengths as a player I’m good at stretching the field, I can read a defense pretty well, find the zone, do whatever I have to do to get open, I’ve got a big body and good hands and my playmaking ability is what’s special about me,’’ Green said in a Zoom interview.

He will join the Lions’ wide receiver group which includes Amon-Ra St. Brown, veteran Marvin Jones Jr., Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond.

“Joining an established offense with Jared Goff and the rest of the guys, it’s definitely exciting for me because I want to contribute to that and put on a show what I can do and ultimately win games,’’ Green said.

For the Tar Heels he played as a true freshman but didn’t take over a full-time role until 2021. Last season he was a third-team All-ACC selection (43 catches for 798 yards and seven TDs).

He was limited to nine games with a collarbone injury.

His NFL.com pre-draft notes included: “Green’s size and deep-ball success make him a more intriguing Day 3 prospect than the overall production and skill set might suggest. Like most vertical specialists, he’s not going to shake man coverage on intermediate routes, but he has decent hands and consistently finds himself overtaking deep coverage with his build-up speed. He might find himself fighting for a spot on a practice squad or the back end of a roster.’’

Green played at Florida’s Rockledge High School.

2023 Lions draft

RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama, first round (12th overall)

LB Jack Campbell, Iowa, first round (18th overall)

TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa, second round (34th overall)

DB Brian Branch, Alabama, second round (45th overall)

QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, third round (68th overall)

DL Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky, third round (96th overall)

OL Colby Sorsdal, William & Mary, fifth round (152nd overall)

WR Antoine Green, North Carolina, seventh round (219th overall)