The Detroit Lions shocked the NFL in 2023 by storming the NFC and nearly making it to the Super Bowl. Head coach Dan Campbell brought a new culture to the team that definitely took hold, and the Lions finished the regular season with a record of 12-5.
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The Lions won the NFC North title for the first time in 30 years and nearly clinched a spot in the Super Bowl. After defeating the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions narrowly lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game by a final score of 34-31.
Campbell and the Lions have made their presence felt and now hope to return to this spot in 2024. While there is plenty of hope that the Lions can return to their playoff form, they may have to deal with the loss of two regular-season replacements.
#Lions announce the following transactions:
– LB Malik Jefferson and WR Tre’Quan Smith placed on the reserve/injured list
– Signed by LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe— Detroit Lions (@Lions) 20 August 2024
On Tuesday, the team announced that linebacker Malik Jefferson and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith were both placed on the reserve/injured list.
The good news is that under the league’s new rules, each NFL team can bring back two players from the injured list if teams reduce their rosters to 53. This means Jefferson and/or Smith can be brought back if rosters are cut.
David Eulitt/Getty Images
Smith was signed by the Lions in February to a reserve/future contract after spending the 2023 season with the Denver Broncos. Smith appeared in just one game with the Broncos in 2023, but failed to record a single catch.
Smith spent the majority of his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints after being selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Smith’s most successful season came in 2020, when he rushed for 428 yards and four touchdowns.
Jefferson had a similar career path, as he was initially selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the number 78 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent one season with the Bengals before being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019. Jefferson was signed and released by the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, and again by the Chargers in 2020.
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Jefferson moved between the Indianapolis Colts and the Dallas Cowboys before the Lions signed him in the offseason.
Both Jefferson and Smith are lower in the Lions’ rankings but could have provided more depth at their respective positions, but only time will tell if either will be brought back once roster cuts take place on August 27.
