Team news: Detroit Lions | Page 13

Lions RB D'Andre Swift didn't practice today with an ankle injury, according to the team practice report.

Related players: Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds, Justin Jackson

This will be something to monitor. Swift did play right up to the end of the game. The team did sign Jackson off the practice squad today so there could be some concern here. Williams would be next up if Swift can't go.

Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) is out vs. the Bills.

Related players: Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell

It was reported the Rams would use a committee approach behind Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson if Jefferson couldn't go so we'll assume that's the plan at this point. That means a likely combo of Skowronek and Atwell.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in an interview this week that Jameson Williams is "a long-term investment" and that the team is "going to continue to be smart with him."

Related Players: DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, Amon-Ra St. Brown

The biggest benefactor —if you want to call it that— of Williams' continued road to health is likely new addition DJ Chark. He has grown comfortable with Jared Goff and could operate as the team's field stretcher while Amon-Ra St. Brown and T.J. Hockenson prowl the middle of the defense.

The Lions have their new backup quarterback: Nate Sudfeld.

Sudfeld signed with the Lions today, after he was cut by the 49ers. The Lions also officially waived quarterback David Blough, who made the initial 53-man roster yesterday.

Related players: Jared Goff

The team released Tim Boyle on Tuesday and now go a completely different direction for a backup to Goff. Goff did miss time with an injury last year and Boyle got the start. Obviously Goff and Sudfeld aren't getting a lot of love in typical redraft leagues, so deeper league and dynasty owners, take note.

The Lions are releasing QB Tim Boyle, per source.

Related players: David Blough, Jared Goff

If you're looking to back up Goff, it appears like that job will go to Blough, at least for now.

The speedy free agent acquisition, D.J. Chark, has emerged as a dynamic force on the outside of the Lions offense. Chark is consistently getting open down the field and has developed a quick chemistry with QB Jared Goff.

Related players: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds

Chark’s ability to make catches away from his body and adjust to the ball in the air have proven special throughout camp, the story said. The Lions desperately needed upgrades at wide receiver and Chark has proven to be a shrewd investment so far. Even when first-round rookie Williams gets onto the field later this year, Chark has proven he deserves a big role in the more aggressive Lions offense, the story went on to say.

The presumptive new WR3 after Tim Patrick's season-ending torn ACL was Hamler's first padded reps with Russell Wilson and the gang today.

Related Players: Kendall Hinton, Jerry Jeudy, Greg Dulcich, Albert Okwuegbunam

There are a fair amount of mouths to feed within the Denver Broncos offense, but nonetheless, Hamler will have an opportunity to cut out a portion of the offense for himself as he returns from his own torn ACL that he suffered last season. A second-round pick in 2020, he has only seen the field in 17 career games, accruing a 35-455-3 stat line in the process.

Hearing WR Van Jefferson’s surgery went great, and my sense is that it’s realistic to believe he can return by the Sept. 8 opener.

Related players: Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell

Rodrigue went on to tweet that obviously Jefferson's experience in the offense means he can get back on board quickly once cleared. She added the team won’t pressure him, but so far things seem encouraging. The Rams should be just fine at WR with Kupp and Robinson. Next up are Skowronek and Atwell.

Greg Dulcich seems to be doing a bit more at practice each day.

Related players: Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler, Albert Okwuegbunam

DiLalla wondered in his tweet if Dulcich could help fill the void left by Patrick. He went on to describe Dulcich as a "big-bodied guy with the speed and athleticism to split out away from the line of scrimmage," and he also added Dulcich "could be a sneaky good option to help fill that void." It could make sense, especially with Albert O expected to have a huge role at TE.

Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus needed assistance to leave the field on Tuesday after suffering an injury to his leg, but it should not be long before he’s able to rejoin the team at practice.

Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Wednesday that Cephus avoided a major injury and is expected to miss a “short period of time” this summer.

Related players: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, D.J. Chark, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond

It's a potential tough break for Cephus who now faces what looks to be a crowded group of WRs in Detroit.