Here are four players we’ll be watching as the Detroit Lions take on their NFC North divisional foes, the Green Bay Packers, in Week 17.
The Detroit Lions head into their Week 17 divisional battle with the Green Bay Packers without much on the line. Both teams are out of playoff contention and the only real impact of the game will be to their draft status.
Still, there are four players we’ll be watching closely when the Lions kick it off in Lambeau Field on Sunday. Here they are …
Glover Quin, Safety
This could be Quin’s swan song in Detroit as the 32-year old safety is once again contemplating retirement. The ten-year veteran has posted a bit of a down season this year, recording 74 tackles, one sack and no interceptions. And with 2018 third rounder Tracy Walker in place to take his starting role, Quin could easily decide to hang up his cleats this offseason.
T.J. Jones, WR
With the trade of Golden Tate, the slot receiver position was thought to belong to T.J. Jones. But the fourth-year receiver has been relatively quiet following the trade after years of teasing fans with his potential.
Jones was able to put up good numbers against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 with six receptions for 42 yards in a losing effort. Scheduled to be a free agent in 2019, Jones could very well playing for his job against the Packers.
Levine Toilolo, TE
Although it will be hard for some fans to admit, the Lions actually did miss the production tight end Eric Ebron brought to this roster. In their struggle to replace him, Toilolo has emerged late into the season as a possible candidate. A strong performance by the pending free agent could go a long way in establishing himself as a candidate to be quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s new security blanket.
Theo Riddick, RB
For years I’ve made the argument that Riddick was the top receiving threat out of the backfield in the entire NFL. But that’s hard to defend this season as he’s not been able to record a single touchdown all year. Throw in the fact Riddick’s scheduled to make $3.2 million next year, and suddenly the rebuild in Detroit may not include the six-year veteran this offseason.