Detroit Free Press

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:36 PM EDT Sep 10, 2020 T.J. Hockenson gave a sideways glance and flashed a big smile. Three weeks after admitting he was still favoring the ankle he injured late last season, the second-year tight end expressed no reservations about his health heading into Sunday’s season opener against the

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 6:23 PM EDT Sep 10, 2020 Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Williams made an assertion Thursday about the much-maligned Chicago Bears quarterback that’s bound to raise some eyebrows, if not invite outright ridicule. Mitchell Trubisky was benched late last season, the Bears declined his fifth-year option this year and he

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 5:51 PM EDT Sep 10, 2020 The closer the Detroit Lions get to Sunday’s season opener against the Chicago Bears, the more likely it seems Adrian Peterson will play a significant role on offense. Peterson laughed Thursday when asked if the Lions told him he could be their starting

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 1:55 PM EDT Sep 10, 2020 Matthew Stafford’s favorite target is dealing with a new hamstring injury three days before the Detroit Lions open the season against the Chicago Bears. Lions coach Matt Patricia said leading receiver Kenny Golladay suffered a hamstring injury in practice Wednesday that landed him

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:00 AM EDT Sep 10, 2020 Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett provides his game-by-game predictions for the 2020 Detroit Lions:  Sept. 13: vs. Bears The Bears are going with Mitchell Trubisky in what can only be a Lions-related move considering how well he played against them last year

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:32 AM EDT Sep 10, 2020 When Rod Wood and his wife, Susan, went out for a recent dinner at the Renaissance Center, the Detroit Lions president got a glimpse of what the not-too-distant future might look like when it comes to attending NFL games. Everyone who enters the

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 6:39 PM EDT Sep 9, 2020 A little more than two months after Kerryon Johnson turned 10 years old, Adrian Peterson made his NFL debut and rushed for 103 yards for the Minnesota Vikings. So yes, it was a little strange for Johnson to sit in the same meeting

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 2:02 PM EDT Sep 9, 2020 As part of new COVID-19 protocols, the NFL changed its roster restrictions this season to allow every team the ability to protect four players on its expanded 16-man practice squad. The idea behind the new rule is to give teams insurance for a coronavirus outbreak,

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:03 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 There’s more buzz about the Detroit Lions as playoff contenders this fall than there has been in recent years. How they answer these three questions will help determine how far they go: (Read the offense breakdown here) How big a role will Jeff

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:02 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 The 2020 NFL season will begin Thursday, and the Detroit Lions open their season on Sunday. Here’s where all 32 teams rank to start the campaign:  1. Chiefs As long as Patrick Mahomes stays healthy, the Chiefs will be the favorites to repeat

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:00 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 With the 2019 season upon us, beat writer Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions defense and special teams. Defensive line It’s always an interesting exercise to look back at last year’s season preview and see how things have changed.

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 7:23 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell isn’t exactly sure what to expect from Adrian Peterson. The Lions haven’t had their first practice of the season. And it’s been nine years since Bevell was calling plays for Peterson out of the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield.

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 5:49 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Martin Mayhew admitted he had made a mistake. And it was a big one. Shortly after the 2012 season, the Detroit Lions’ general manager at the time said he had mistakenly counted on running back Jahvid Best to return from a concussion he

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 4:31 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, has not been listed as a starter, according to the first depth chart released by the team. The Lions have veteran Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman as their two

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:59 AM EDT Sep 8, 2020 There’s more buzz about the Detroit Lions as playoff contenders this fall than there has been in recent years. How they answer these three questions will help determine how far they go: Can Matthew Stafford stay healthy in 2020? Health is such a

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:02 AM EDT Sep 8, 2020 With the 2020 season upon us, beat writer Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions offense. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford has some lofty goals in mind for 2020. Former Lions receiver Nate Burleson said on “Good Morning Football” earlier this month

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:02 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 For Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, a Vikings fan growing up in Minnesota, the opportunity to block for new teammate, Adrian Peterson, is literally a dream come true. Ragnow said he spent the past day asking teammates how he should introduce himself to

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:28 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 Matthew Stafford, future NFL MVP? For the Detroit Lions quarterback, winning the award doesn’t seem the least bit far-fetched. Former Lions receiver Nate Burleson said on his “Good Morning Football” show last week that Stafford texted him earlier this summer, after co-host Peter

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 5:30 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 Adrian Peterson should see significant playing time when the Detroit Lions open the season Sunday against the Chicago Bears, even if Lions coach Matt Patricia is playing coy about his role. “We’ll see,” Patricia said Monday when asked how big a part of

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 2:32 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 Bo Scarbrough, who gave the Detroit Lions’ feeble running game a boost late last season, will start this season on injured reserve. The Lions placed Scarbrough on IR Monday to make room on their 53-man roster for Adrian Peterson. [ Lions sign Adrian