Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) was photographed participating in OTAs on Wednesday, via the team website. There hasn't been much information available regarding Raymond's status until this latest development, which suggests that he has made progress in his recovery ever since missing the NFC Championship in January. Raymond managed to carve out a role on offense despite competing for targets with plenty of offensive playmakers. He finished 2023 with 35 catches, 489 yards, and one touchdown over 17 games (three starts), serving as a reliable option for Jared Goff. This year, Raymond will once again be in play for a non-zero target share given his familiarity with Detroit's offense. However, he remains off the fantasy radar in most formats as he operates behind the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) has officially been ruled out for the NFC Championship game on Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale and is now going to be forced to miss the team's third straight playoff game. It's unknown if the 29-year-old receiver/kick returner would be ready to play in the Super Bowl in two weeks if the Lions beat the Niners this weekend. During the regular season, Raymond caught 35 of his 44 targets for 489 yards and one touchdown for the Lions. Josh Reynolds (ribs) will play on Sunday, so he and Amon-Ra St. Brown will operate as quarterback Jared Goff's top two aerial targets against San Francisco on the road.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) remained sidelined at the team's practice on Wednesday. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale and has missed each of the team's two playoff games. The fact that the 29-year-old isn't practicing to begin the week is a bad sign that he'll be able to return for the NFC Championship this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Even if Raymond is able to return to practice later this week and suit up this weekend, fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should probably look to avoid him. During the regular season, Raymond only had 35 catches for 489 yards and one touchdown on 44 targets. With Josh Reynolds (ribs) also on the injury report this week, it's possible second-year wideout Jameson Williams could be more involved as the Lions look to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in their history.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) has been ruled out for the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Raymond also missed the wild-card win over the Los Angeles Rams last weekend after he injured his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale. The 29-year-old wouldn't have really been on the fantasy radar for DFS contests this weekend if he was active, and the Lions will likely miss him most on special teams. It remains to be seen if Raymond would be ready to play in the NFC Championship if Detroit advances past the Bucs. With Raymond out again, second-year wideout Jameson Williams will have a bigger role as Detroit's No. 3 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds. Fantasy managers shouldn't have high hopes for Williams unless he can break one of his few touches for an explosive touchdown-scoring play.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) missed his second straight practice of the week on Thursday. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale, didn't practice at all last week and was held out of the wild-card win over the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday night. The fact that the 29-year-old still hasn't returned to practice means he's likely to miss a second straight game this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Raymond apparently is doing better than he was last week, but even if he's able to play this weekend, he's not realistic DFS option as a depth receiver and kick returner on special teams. Second-year wideout Jameson Williams should have more opportunities if Raymond misses another game, but the 22-year-old managed just two catches for 19 yards in his postseason debut in the wild-card round.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) was missing from the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Raymond's knee injury is improving, but he could still easily be held out of the Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers unless he's able to return to practice on Thursday or Friday. When healthy, the 29-year-old serves as the Lions' punt returner and in a depth receiver role, so he doesn't have much fantasy value to begin with. Raymond caught 35 passes during the regular season for only 489 yards and one touchdown on 44 targets. If he can return to practice later this week, he could draw a questionable tag for Sunday's game. Second-year pass-catcher Jameson Williams will have a bigger role again if Raymond misses another game.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) did not practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the wild-card playoff game on Sunday night versus the Los Angeles Rams. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears and isn't ready to play in the first round of the playoffs. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old will be ready to roll if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round next weekend. In his absence, Josh Reynolds and second-year man Jameson Williams (ankle) will take on bigger roles behind No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is questionable as well, so if he doesn't suit up, there will be even more targets to go around for Detroit's pass-catchers in a game that has plenty of high-scoring potential. The Lions will also need a new punt returner this weekend with Raymond sidelined.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) missed his second straight practice of the week on Thursday and is not expected to be able to play in Sunday night's wild-card playoff contest versus the visiting Los Angeles Rams. The 29-year-old injured himself in the Week 18 regular season finale win over the Minnesota Vikings. Raymond only had 35 catches for 489 yards and one touchdown during the regular season, so he probably wasn't going to be in many fantasy lineups this weekend, even if he were active. His biggest impact came on special teams as the team's punt returner, so the Lions will have to look elsewhere to fill his shoes in the return game. The good news is second-year receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) is on track to return after sitting out Week 18.
Kalif Raymond Looking Unlikely For Wild-Card Weekend
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) missed the team's practice on Wednesday after injuring his knee in the Week 18 regular season win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Head coach Dan Campbell is slightly behind rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee), indicating Raymond's chances of playing on Sunday evening against the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card contest are more bleak but not necessarily zero percent. Detroit's offense is pretty beat up heading into the postseason. If Raymond and LaPorta aren't cleared to play, second-year receiver Jameson Williams (ankle, illness), who missed Week 18, should have a bigger role in the passing game next to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds. Raymond, who also serves as the team's punt returner, had 35 receptions for 489 yards and one touchdown on 44 targets in 2023.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings and was quickly ruled out. He finishes Week 18 having caught two passes for 50 yards, and he also added 89 punt return yards. All in all, Raymond's final 2023 stat line includes 35 catches, 489 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. Moving forward, Raymond will undergo additional testing before the Lions confirm his diagnosis and playoff availability.
