Josh Reynolds to make Lions debut vs. Browns
Josh Reynolds didn’t have enough time to get acclimated and play Week 10, but he will make his Lions debut Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
After asking for his release from the Tennessee Titans, Josh Reynolds was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions last Wednesday. He practiced with his new team last Thursday, and while it seemed possible he could play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10, he was inactive.
On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbelll quickly confirmed Reynolds will suit up on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
DC wanted to make sure WR Josh Reynolds had a chance to have success before he's thrown to the wolves (not that he couldn't handle a couple of plays). Wanted him to digest what they're doing. Says Reynolds will be up and going this week.
— Dannie (@dannierogers___) November 15, 2021
Josh Reynolds will be in the Lions’ lineup against the Browns.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) November 15, 2021
One game after Amon-Ra St. Brown was the only Lions wide receiver to catch a pass (Week 8 against the Eagles), the rookie of USC led the way again against the Steelers with four catches for 61 yards. But Kalif Raymond (four catches for 29 yards) and Trinity Benson (two catches for 17 yards) showed the other Lions’ wide receivers indeed have a pulse. Regardless, Reynolds should get plenty of snaps in his Lions’ debut.
What does Josh Reynolds bring to the table?
Coming out of Texas A&M in 2017, Reynolds posted a high-end Relative Athletic Score.
Josh Reynolds put up an elite #RAS at the time of his draft, but he's mostly been a WR2 type. Could be his year, though! https://t.co/DUJ8bB6NFe pic.twitter.com/LZrujNW8KS
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 12, 2021
The primary issue for Reynolds in his NFL career has been opportunity. The Titans traded for Julio Jones after signing him, and then he fell down the pecking order during the preseason. Over four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, he was behind the likes of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks for all or some of that time. He played a career-best 72 percent of the Rams’ offensive snaps in 2020, and had career-highs in catches (52) and yards (618).
In Detroit, Reynolds will of course reunite with former Rams quarterback Jared Goff. He can play in the slot (32 snaps with the Titans this year) and on the outside. As the Lions expand St. Brown’s usage all over the field, Reynolds is lined up to be another versatile piece for a pass offense that needs all the spark it can get.
