Report: Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds to play vs. Bills

Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds has missed the last three games, but he will reportedly suit up on Thursday against the Bills.

The Detroit Lions wide receiver corps was pretty thin for a few weeks. DJ Chark returned in Week 11 against the New York Giants after a stint on IR with an ankle injury. After missing three straight games due to a back injury,  NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported Josh Reynolds will play on Thursday against the Buffalo Bills.

Reynolds seemed to trending toward playing last week, but a missed practice last Friday led to a Saturday downgrade from questionable to out for the 31-18 win over the Giants. A prior ankle injury clearly seemed to impact his effectiveness in the last two games he played, Week 7 and Week 8, then a back injury popped up during the following practice week to sideline him. He probably needed a rest to get his body all the way healthy.

Josh Reynolds will be a welcome addition for the Lions

Reynolds has 26 receptions for 357 yards (13.9 yards per catch) in seven games this season. From Week 3-Week 5, as Amon-Ra St. Brown dealt with an ankle injury and missed a game, Reynolds stepped up with 19 receptions for 269 yards and a touchdown (on 28 targets) with at least six catches and more than 80 yards in all three games and 10 targets in two of the contests.

Alongside St. Brown as a trusted target for Jared Goff, Reynolds has a clear rapport with the Lions’ signal caller–rooted in their history with the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions needed someone to step up outside of St. Brown while Reynolds was out, and it just didn’t happen on a consistent basis and the Detroit passing game hasn’t been what as good as it could be.

The Lions’ offense will need all the hands it can have on deck against the Bills on Thursday. Reynolds’ return to action will be helpful and welcome.