Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions shuffled tight ends as part of a slew of roster moves Tuesday, signing Jared Pinkney off the Los Angeles Rams practice squad and placing Brock Wright on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wright had been the Lions’ only healthy tight end after T.J. Hockenson opted to undergo season-ending thumb surgery Dec. 16 and Shane

Dan Campbell could not have been more right when he said “COVID and football don’t go together.” Only, they’ve teamed up far too often of late. On Monday night, a Miami Dolphins team with nine players on the reserve/COVID-19 list beat a New Orleans Saints team with 16 players on the list. Nearly a third

The Detroit Lions clinched their fourth straight last-place finish in the NFC North with Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but as the 2021 season nears its end, the Lions seem better-positioned for future success than two of their three division rivals. The Green Bay Packers remain the class of the NFC North and

Dan Campbell’s willingness to roll the dice is about to put the Detroit Lions in the NFL record book. The Lions converted 3 of 4 fourth-down plays in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, bringing their NFL-leading number of fourth down conversion attempts to 36. The New England Patriots hold the record for most fourth-down

The Detroit Lions are getting their quarterback back, but losing one of his favorite targets. Lions quarterback Jared Goff cleared COVID-19 protocols Monday, a week after he was placed on the reserve/COVID list, while receiver Josh Reynolds tested positive for the virus. Goff did not play in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but

After coming just short of grabbing win No. 3 on the season against the Atlanta Falcons, the Detroit Lions hit the road once again. This time, they head to the Pacific Northwest and face the Seattle Seahawks in a late afternoon tilt on Fox. CLOSE CALL: Don’t let Detroit Lions’ final play cover up the

During the NFL draft this year, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made a joke. At least, I think it was a joke. Maybe we should call it a jest filled with playful truth, because the fact is the NFL draft contains so much scrutiny it would make anyone a little slappy over its three-day-long

ATLANTA — Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett breaks down the Detroit Lions’ 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and looks at players who helped and hurt their stock Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium: JEFF SEIDEL: Don’t let Lions’ final play cover up the exciting creativity that kept it close Stock up LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin: Reeves-Maybin has

ATLANTA — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is no miracle worker. But he is growing as a coach. “I see us improving,” Campbell said after the Atlanta Falcons beat the Lions, 20-16, on Sunday. “You’d look for improvement out of every player in every group and I see it. We’re playing better football right now

Dan Campbell trusted his defense in a key situation Sunday, and it almost worked. One of the NFL’s most aggressive coaches all season, Campbell got unusually conservative late in the Detroit Lions’ 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the Lions down seven points and less than three minutes to

ATLANTA – Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett grades the Detroit Lions in their 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Quarterback Tim Boyle played much better and looked much more comfortable Sunday than he did in his first career start last month against the Cleveland Browns. Boyle completed six straight passes to start

Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez answers three questions about the Detroit Lions’ 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. What did you think of Tim Boyle? Let’s start with the positives. The Lions backup quarterback, who started because Jared Goff was on the reserve/COVID list, looked much better in his second NFL start and his

ATLANTA — He had a chance to be a hero. With 33 seconds left and a chance to win the game, Tim Boyle, the Detroit Lions‘ backup quarterback, forced a ball toward the end zone. But it was intercepted. End of the game. Falcons 20, Lions 16. So the Lions lost. No real surprise. CARLOS

Free Press sports writers predict the Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons game in Week 16, Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (1 p.m., Fox). The Lions are coming off a stunning 30-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week. A win Sunday would give the franchise its first winning streak since Oct. 18-25, 2020 — when they

The bridge quarterback is making a bid to become a permanent structure, and as the Detroit Lions get ready for an important offseason with some momentum at their back, they have a big decision to make on their and Jared Goff’s future. Goff has played his best football of the season in recent weeks, leading

Amani Oruwariye’s breakout season is over. The Detroit Lions placed Oruwariye on season-ending injured reserve Saturday with a thumb injury he suffered late in last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. Oruwariye suffered what Lions coach Dan Campbell described as a ligament and bone injury on the final drive of the game. He did not

Jonah Jackson was named a second Pro Bowl alternate at offensive guard for the NFC in his second NFL season. He has been a key part of a Detroit Lions running game that ranks 17th in the NFL at 111.6 yards per game. He sat down with the Free Press to answer a few questions

Jared Goff remains in COVID-19 protocols four days after testing positive for the coronavirus, and the Detroit Lions are preparing to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday without their No. 1 cornerback, too. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Goff is unlikely to play Sunday. Goff has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list since Monday. Amani Oruwariye

It won’t rise to the level of a Christmas miracle if he plays, but the Detroit Lions could be without starting running back D’Andre Swift for a fourth straight game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Swift was a limited participant in his third straight practice Friday as he recovers from the sprained shoulder he suffered

Jared Goff remains in COVID-19 protocols four days after testing positive for the coronavirus, and the Detroit Lions are preparing to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday without their No. 1 cornerback, too. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Goff and cornerback Amani Oruwariye are unlikely to play Sunday. Goff has been on the reserve/COVID-19 list