ALLEN PARK — The Lions filled a position of need on Tuesday when acquired wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Cleveland Browns.
Detroit sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to Cleveland. Tuesday at 4 p.m. was the NFL trade deadline.
Peoples-Jones, who played at Michigan, was a sixth-round pick by the Browns in 2020. He’s a 24-year-old Detroiter who played at Cass Tech.
“We’re excited about the kid. He’s had good production in the past, he’ll be a good fit here. He’s been a high character kid,’’ Lions GM Brad Holmes said announcing the deal. “… I just talked to the kid. He’s fired up about getting this process going.’’
Holmes said they needed to add a wide receiver since Marvin Jones Jr. left the team last week.
“You always feel like you’re one injury away and that was a position we felt like if we could find a steady, reliable guy that fits us, that can play outside. That was something we were looking at to see if we could acquire,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.
Holmes said Peoples-Jones is a big guy (6-foot-2, 204 pounds) who has good contested catch skills.
“We feel like he fits our style. And he’s smart and can play multiple positions,’’ Campbell said. “We feel like he’ll be a good fit for the team and the room.’’
This season Peoples-Jones has played in seven games with five starts for the Browns with eight receptions for 97 yards. In his career, he’s played in 50 games with 30 starts, with 117 receptions for 1,837 yards and eight touchdowns.
While it would seem that the defensive line is an area of need, Holmes said they looked at every position prior to the deadline.
“A lot of these names that you might see pop up, they look good in the media and they are names, it’s not reality. Those same names that you see pop up when you start getting in conversations, it just doesn’t work out for us,’’ Holmes said. “Every team is in a different place, a different direction, a different phase. There’s nothing we leave unturned. We looked at every position and this was the best one for us.’’
Bye week timing
The players watched film from Monday night’s game on Tuesday then were given the rest of the week off due to the bye.
“I think it’s perfect timing. This is exactly when, from where we’re at, it’s perfect,’’ Campbell said. … “We’re going to get reinforcements back for the Chargers who will be critical to help us.’’
Campbell said he will spend all day Wednesday to look at the last eight games and then will get away for a few days.
The next game is Nov. 12 at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Long snapper out
Long snapper Scott Daly is going to need surgery after injuring his knee on the last kick on Monday, a missed 26-yard field goal. It’s a position that doesn’t get much thought unless there’s an injury.
“It’s going to hurt to lose him,’’ Campbell said.
Lions Lowdown 