Detroit Lions News

Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is dealing with a sprained MCL, but head coach Dan Campbell told the media that the team still feels good about his Week 1 availability, according to beat writer Nolan Bianchi. Pacheco signed a one-year deal in the offseason but having now missed a string of training camp practices, the Lions have leaned on third-year back Sione Vaki to handle an expanded workload as three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs ramps back up from an early training camp hold-in that resulted in him becoming the league's highest paid running back. After splitting the backfield with David Montgomery for his first three seasons, Gibbs is expected to handle close to a bell cow role in 2026, limiting Pacheco's standalone value but making him one of fantasy's most important handcuff backs and a player who can generally be found in the closing rounds of drafts as RotoBaller's RB44.

The Detroit Lions are signing quarterback Josh Dobbs to a one-year, $1.425 million contract with $475,000 fully guaranteed, according to Mike Garafolo. The move comes after Teddy Bridgewater stepped away from the team, creating an opening behind starter Jared Goff. Garafolo reports that the financial commitment reflects Detroit's plan for Dobbs to serve as its No. 2 quarterback. The 31-year-old spent last season with New England, appearing in four games and completing 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards. He has made 15 starts during his NFL career, giving Detroit an experienced option behind Goff while undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer continues to develop. Goff has already been ruled out for the entire preseason, so Dobbs should have an opportunity to get acclimated quickly once the signing becomes official.

Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has informed the team that he plans to step away, with retirement considered likely, according to Ian Rapoport. The 33-year-old entered training camp as Jared Goff's expected backup after returning to Detroit for a third stint in March. Bridgewater appeared in four games for Tampa Bay last season, completing eight of 15 passes for 62 yards, and has made 65 starts over his NFL career. His decision leaves undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer as the only other quarterback currently on the roster behind Goff. Altmyer had been trying to push Bridgewater for the No. 2 job and should now get an extended look during the preseason. Detroit is not handing him the position uncontested, however, as the Lions plan to work out several quarterbacks while looking to add another veteran to the room.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff will not play at any point during the preseason, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Sunday. Campbell left little doubt about the plan, joking that even if Detroit ran out of quarterbacks, Goff still would not play and the team could turn to wide receiver Tom Kennedy instead. Goff is coming off another strong season, throwing for 4,564 yards, 34 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 68.0% of his passes across 17 games. Detroit opens its preseason Thursday against Cincinnati, and several other key starters could also be held out. Goff's absence will put more attention on rookie Luke Altmyer, especially after Teddy Bridgewater decided to step away from the team. Altmyer should now see plenty of preseason work while Detroit evaluates him and searches for another veteran quarterback.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa didn't do much between the 20s as a rookie, but six touchdowns on 16 catches made it hard to ignore what his size can add to this offense. Detroit is giving him more to do now. The 24-year-old enters camp as the clear No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and Dan Campbell said the Lions had built a lot of trust in him by the end of last season. There is some noise in the late-season numbers, though. TeSlaa caught 12 balls over the final six weeks, but that run came after Sam LaPorta went on injured reserve. LaPorta is back at full strength, and Jahmyr Gibbs will also see plenty of targets. TeSlaa may never get enough volume to become a weekly fantasy starter in this offense. Still, Detroit traded up 32 spots to take him 70th overall last year, and his 6-foot-4 frame gives him a red-zone role that doesn't require huge target volume. RotoBaller has him 189th overall in its latest dynasty rankings. That's cheap enough to buy into the Year 2 role growth without paying for a breakout that's already happened.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns over the past four seasons, so it should come as little surprise that he was listed among senior writer Tim Twentyman's 10 players who have impressed through the first two weeks of Lions training camp. Twentyman notes that the five-time Pro Bowler continues to wow with his ball placement and accuracy and appears to have "a great grasp of Drew Petzing's offense." Goff has one of the most feared surrounding casts in the league and a head coach unafraid to play to the final whistle, making his current ADP of QB16 all the more confounding following four straight top 10 fantasy finishes. In a year with a deep pool of quality options making it easier to wait at the quarterback position, Goff has week-winning upside and is a player to target in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.

Three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions agreed on Thursday on a three-year, $67.5 million deal that could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal makes Gibbs the league's highest-paid running back after the Atlanta Falcons just signed star RB Bijan Robinson to a three-year extension worth $66.75 million on Tuesday. The 24-year-old former 12th overall pick in 2023 from the University of Alabama is well-deserving of the massive contract, having produced a whopping 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on 675 carries for the Lions in his first three years in the NFL. Gibbs has also lit up box scores as a receiver, catching 181 of 228 targets for 1,449 receiving yards and another 10 touchdowns as a pass-catcher. In an offense in Detroit that hasn't changed all that much under head coach Dan Campbell, Gibbs will continue to be the focal point on the ground and through the air, which makes him the most obvious choice as the No. 1 overall fantasy football pick in 2026.

The Detroit Lions and star running back Jahmyr Gibbs continue to work on a new deal in training camp that is expected to be finalized soon, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Gibbs should be the third RB domino to fall this summer after both Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor signed with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts, respectively, over the last 48 hours. Gibbs, who has also been dealing with a tight back, made an appearance at practice on Thursday. NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports that the two sides could be closing in on a new three-year deal that would make the 24-year-old dual-threat back the highest-paid RB in the league. A deal could be completed as early as Thursday, which would be great news for the Lions, as they'd get the best all-around RB back on the field. Despite his hold-in to start camp, the former 12th overall pick from the University of Alabama should be the top player off the board in most fantasy football drafts after another 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 to go with 18 total touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving) in 17 starts.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs took part in a walk-through and team stretch on Thursday morning before moving to a side field to work with a trainer. One week into Lions training camp, the three-time Pro Bowler has yet to take part in practice as he awaits a long-term contract extension. High-profile running backs Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor both agreed to new extensions this week, so it's possible a new deal for Gibbs could be close, but until he puts ink to paper, it's unlikely he'll take part in any drills. After sharing a backfield with David Montgomery for his first three seasons, the veteran's trade to the Texans has presented Gibbs with the opportunity to handle close to a bell cow role, and he is RotoBaller's RB1 for 2026. With training camp approaching its halfway point, fantasy managers will want to see him on the field as soon as possible to avoid carrying any rust or added injury risk into the Lions' regular season opener on September 13.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Bijan Robinson's record-setting deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday is "certainly not gonna hurt" the team's own negotiations with star RB Jahmyr Gibbs, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Robinson and Atlanta agreed to a three-year extension that includes $51 million guaranteed. Gibbs, who is also managing a tight back, continues to hold in during training camp until he gets a new deal. He missed a fifth straight practice on Monday, but as long as the three-time Pro Bowler and the Lions reach a deal sooner rather than later, fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned about taking the elite dual-threat back as the No. 1 overall pick in drafts this fall. Gibbs told a reporter on Monday that "only time will tell" when he returns to the field this summer. When asked whether he needs a new deal before returning to the field, Gibbs said, "It's not about that," but he refused to elaborate. Eventually, Gibbs should become the NFL's highest-paid RB after holding the record for most touchdowns scored (49) in a player's first three seasons in the league.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (back) was present for Monday's practice but remained out of uniform, leaving him without a practice appearance through the team's first five camp sessions, according to The Detroit News. His absence has been linked to contract talks, though Gibbs denied that he needs a new deal before returning to the field. Asked when he might practice, Gibbs said, "Only time will tell." The 24-year-old became eligible for an extension this offseason and is under contract through 2027 after Detroit exercised his fifth-year option. Gibbs is coming off a 2025 season in which he totaled 1,839 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns while catching 77 passes. Five missed practices in early August are not enough to change his standing near the top of fantasy drafts, but the lack of a clear explanation makes the situation worth watching until he returns.

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Detroit Lions don't seem to be as active in contract-extension talks with running back Jahmyr Gibbs (back) as the Atlanta Falcons are with their star RB, Bijan Robinson. Similar to Robinson, Gibbs is currently holding in at training camp this summer as he seeks a new contract and has yet to practice with the Lions. Rapoport says he would not be surprised if Gibbs continues to sit out of practices until there is some "real significant progress" towards a new deal. Although Gibbs has reportedly been dealing with a back injury early in camp, the 24-year-old passed a physical and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. When the Lions reach a new contract with Gibbs, it could make him the highest-paid RB in the league. The former 12th overall pick in 2023 from the University of Alabama is an elite dual threat at his position, racking up 3,580 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns while adding 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and another 10 touchdowns as a receiver in his first three NFL seasons in Detroit. Gibbs is RotoBaller's No. 1 overall fantasy player in 2026, and that shouldn't change because of his current hold-in.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is unlikely to come at any sort of discount in dynasty leagues, but that does not make him a sell. He followed another massive season with 117 catches for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns on 172 targets in 2025. It was his third straight year with at least 115 receptions, 1,250 yards, and 10 scores, and he finished as the WR3 in half-PPR scoring for the third consecutive season. That level of consistency is difficult to move away from, especially when St. Brown is only 26, remains tied to Jared Goff, and is under contract through 2028. Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs give Detroit plenty of other options, but none of them prevented St. Brown from setting a career high in targets last season. A third offensive coordinator in as many years is worth noting, although his role is not suddenly in danger. RotoBaller currently has St. Brown ranked as the dynasty WR6 and eighth overall, which feels appropriate. Contenders should continue building around him, and rebuilders do not need to trade him simply because they are not ready to win. Unless another manager offers true cornerstone value, St. Brown is an easy hold.

The Detroit Lions have signed former All-Pro linebacker Devin White to a one-year deal, as reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. The fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, White was one of the league's most promising young linebackers in his early years for the Buccaneers before his career hit a lull in his final seasons in Tampa and over a forgettable 2024 campaign with the Texans, but he was able to turn things around in a major way with the Raiders in 2025. Appearing in all 17 games, White's 174 tackles were the third most in the league, and he added 11 tackles-for-loss and an interception. In Detroit, he could immediately slot in beside 2025 first-team All-Pro Jack Campbell to form one of the most formidable tackling duos in the league.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (herniated disc) has been deemed fully healthy at the start of training camp and is set to take on a large role in the Lions' offense, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. The 25-year-old had a disappointing Year 3 in the NFL, appearing in just nine games due to a herniated disc. However, not only is the Iowa product a full-go, but he is also set to play a large role in the offense under newly-tabbed offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. The tight end enjoyed a breakout campaign as a rookie, catching 10 touchdowns and totaling an impressive 889 yards. As a sophomore, LaPorta saw his production take a slight dip, but was still productive, scoring seven touchdowns with 726 yards. While the Detroit offense is crowded, LaPorta figures to be a primary option and is poised for a bounce-back with a clean bill of health.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has been one of the standout performers of the early days of training camp, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Per Pouncy, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that Williams is "going to have a big year" for Detroit. Across 17 games last season, the 25-year-old recorded 65 receptions for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 targets. However, much of Williams' production came after Lions tight end Sam LaPorta went down with a season-ending back injury in Week 10. With LaPorta back in action for Detroit heading into 2026, Williams could get lost in the shuffle behind LaPorta, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs. There's no doubting Williams' explosive upside, but he will need to find more week-to-week consistency to break through the boom/bust WR3 label.

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran tight end Anthony Firkser following his release from the Commanders on Wednesday, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. An undrafted free agent in 2017, Firkser has played for five different teams across eight professional seasons, appearing in seven games for the Lions in 2025, which marked his second stint with the team. Tasked with an expanded role in the wake of Sam LaPorta's move to injured reserve, Firkser caught eight passes for 53 yards but could be tabbed for more special teams responsibilities in 2026. He joins a Lions depth chart of LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Tyler Conklin and will be looking to earn one of the final spots on the Lions' 53-man roster.

With an unexpected absence at the top of the depth chart, Detroit Lions running backs Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki have been splitting first-team reps in the early days of training camp. Three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs has not been practicing as he seeks a long-term contract extension, and head coach Dan Campbell is taking advantage of an opportunity to load his other backs up with valuable work. Pacheco signed a one-year deal this offseason and is expected to handle parts of the vacated David Montgomery role, while Vaki enters his third season with the team after Detroit spent a fourth-round pick on him following a collegiate career in which he played predominantly on the defensive side of the ball. While Campbell has expressed confidence that an extension with Gibbs will get done, he is not overlooking the situation in front of him and is using it to prepare both players for any unexpected call to action over the course of a long 17-game season.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said "it's pretty exciting" when discussing the status of tight end Sam LaPorta (back) as he works his way towards a return from back surgery, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Pouncy reports that Campbell said LaPorta is "ready to go" and "a big piece of our offense." LaPorta recorded 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets across nine games last season before suffering a season-ending back injury. The 25-year-old has proven he has high-end fantasy TE1 upside when healthy, as he recorded over 1,600 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns across his first two NFL seasons in 2023 and 2024. While the back injury and the Lions' deep core of talented pass-catchers are both potential limiting factors for LaPorta's fantasy value, it appears as though Detroit is encouraged by their tight end's status at the start of training camp. RotoBaller currently ranks LaPorta as the TE8 for redraft leagues.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he's "not even sweating it" when discussing running back Jahmyr Gibbs' hold-in as he seeks a contract extension early in training camp, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Gibbs completed a conditioning test on Wednesday, in which Campbell said he "had a little bit of a back" issue, so it's unclear if the star RB will start practicing with the team right away once he inks a new deal. The 24-year-old's back injury might not be all that serious, but it's definitely something that we will keep a close eye on as camp rolls on. Fantasy managers probably have nothing to worry about right now with Gibbs' back injury and his hold-in, but the longer it lasts, the more concerning it will become for a player who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 1 overall fantasy RB. He has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three NFL seasons after Detroit took him 12th overall from the University of Alabama in 2023. Gibbs' production speaks for itself, as he's racked up an incredible 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and another 10 scores as a receiver in 49 regular-season games. He's in his prime in an up-tempo, high-scoring offense as the best dual-threat back in the league.