Former Lions among USFL leaders in rushing and receiving

Three weeks into the USFL season, two former Detroit Lions are among the league leaders in rushing and receiving.

There are some former Detroit Lions in the USFL, and two are among the league leaders in their respective statistical categories three weeks into the season.

Houston Gamblers running back Mark Thompson has 53 carries for 311 yards and one touchdown. He is averaging an incredible 5.8 yards a carry.

Thompson landed with the Lions in 2019, and was cut before the season started. After that, he spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders without getting a regular season carry.

Former Detroit Lions shining in the USFL

Birmingham Stallions wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. leads the USFL in receptions (18) and targets (33) through three weeks. His 153 yards is third in the league, and he has one touchdown. He is also the primary kick returner for the Stallions.

Originally signed as a free agent by San Francisco in 2017, Bolden suited in nine games for the 49ers that season with four punt returns. He played a total of six games for the 49ers and Buffalo Bills in 2018, totaling one catch (for the 49ers) with five kickoff returns for 116 yards (for the Bills).

Detroit added Bolden Jr. to their practice squad in December of 2019, then waived him the following summer. They repeated the same process–signed in September and waived in December–in 2020. The third time was not the charm, as the Lions signed Bolden to a reserve futures contract in January of 2021 and then waived him again in August.

Week 4 USFL Schedule

• Philadelphia Stars (1-2) vs. Michigan Panthers (1-2) on FS1 at 10 p.m. ET, Friday, May 6
• New Jersey Generals (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh Maulers (0-3) on Peacock at 2:30 p.m.  ET, Saturday, May 7
• Tampa Bay Bandits (2-1) vs. Birmingham Stallions (3-0) on Fox at 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 7
• Houston Gamblers (1-2) vs. New Orleans Breakers (2-1) on NBC and Peacock at 3 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 8