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Detroit Lions wide receiver depth being tested due to injury

By Justin Ochsner

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 5: TJ Jones #13 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball during a football game Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 5, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 13-10. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 5: TJ Jones #13 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball during a football game Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 5, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won the game 13-10. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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After an injury to Detroit Lions wide receiver T.J. Jones versus the New York Jets, the receiving corps is the latest position to be tested for depth.

Last week, the Detroit Lions lost defensive end Kerry Hyder to a season-ending injury, a torn Achilles tendon. This week, the injury bug bit Lions wide receiver T.J. Jones with a hamstring injury.

In ESPN Insider Kevin Seifert’s preseason Week 2 injury report, he noted Jones’s injury:

"“Jones didn’t return after suffering the injury Saturday night, and the Lions didn’t update his condition beyond that,” wrote Seifert on ESPN.com. “A leg muscle injury to a receiver is always worth monitoring closely, especially for a player who is expected to play a significant role. Without Jones, the Lions would be looking at rookie Kenny Golladay as their No. 3 receiver alongside Golden Tate and Marvin Jones.”"

While Hyder’s injury is more devastating, a lingering injury to Jones would still have an effect on this Lions’ offense. Jones brings two years of active NFL playing experience to Detroit’s receiving corps and was looking to take a step forward with his contributions to the team this year. But what happens now?

Best case scenario: The injury is short-term and Jones is back in the lineup for the preseason matchup against the New England Patriots.

Worst case scenario: The injury lingers and the team looks to the next man up to make plays for the offense.

We’ve heard plenty about the preseason fan favorite on offense, Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay. His two touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts garnered some serious attention. Golladay’s quiet performance on Saturday served as a reminder that he’s a rookie still learning the ropes.

Outside of Golladay, receivers Jace Billingsley and Jared Abbrederis are next in line to gain repetitions if Jones’s injury lingers. Both Billingsley and Abbrederis have done some nice things on the field when given opportunities. Billingsley, specifically, had a nice broken tackle that turned into a first down on Saturday.

Next: Jake Rudock is ready for his new role as backup QB

We all hope T.J. Jones returns to health quickly. But while we wait for an update, seeing the options behind him on the depth chart provide confidence that Lions general manager Bob Quinn has assembled quality depth at the position.

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