Heading into Week 3 of training camp, the Detroit Lions have made a few changes to the roster. Jalen-Reeves Maybin has been removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list, along with the signing of WR Darius Jennings and the release of center Drake Jackson.
Reeves-Maybin was looked upon as a player who may benefit from the regime change as his style of play is better suited in this scheme where athletic linebackers are coveted versus Matt Patricia’s, where he preferred big-bodied linebackers.
He landed on the COVID-19 listing right before training camp, slowing down his progress in the new-look defense. Due to this fact, he has lost out on valuable reps to fringe players who know are making some noise with the advantage of the extra playing time like Shaun Dion-Hamilton and Anthony Pittman.
It is hard to say how far behind Reeves-Maybin, but the curve has become higher for him due to other players showing out during camp. Even though he is a solid special teamer, that may not be enough for him to hang his hat on. He has a short time to put his horse ahead, or otherwise, it might be a long road ahead for him.
On the flip side, the Lions brought Jennings to help alleviate the receiver depth after most of the receiver corps was out for Saturday’s scrimmage, Tyrell Williams with a groin injury, Breshad Perriman with a hip issue, and Quintez Cephus with a head injury.
Jennings was undrafted coming out of Virginia and has bounced around between the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Tennesse Titans, and the Los Angles Chargers on various practice squads. He is the biggest guy on the field, but where he made the most impact was kick returns, where he set the Titans franchise record with 31.7 yards per return. He will have a long road ahead coming late in camp and probably a camp body to supplement, but never shut the door.
Jackson was brought in as an undrafted free agent this year, and some believed he had a legit shot at making the team as center depth behind Frank Ragnow with his superb play at Kentucky. Unfortunately for Jackson, due is short arms; he was probably just a center-only prospect holding back the possibility of moving him to guard. Also, with Evan Brown returning from the Non-Football Injury list last week, it ultimately made Jackson expendable since Brown can play anywhere on the interior.