Detroit Lions open return window for wide receiver Quintez Cephus

The Detroit Lions are getting healthier and healthier, and they’ve started the return window for wide receiver Quintez Cephus.

The Detroit Lions had the cleanest injury report they’ve had all season heading into Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jameson Wiliams was activated before that game, and Romeo Okwara is lined up to return to action Sunday against the Vikings.

On Wednesday, the Lions got another player back at practice. Wide receiver Quintez Cephus was spotted on the field, and thus his 21-day return window has been started.

Cephus was placed on IR in early October due to a foot injury. He has been somewhat out of sight out of mind since, missing the last eight games since being injured against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4. Missing the entire rest of the season felt possible, but the Lions now have three weeks to put him him on the active roster.

Cephus has played in four games this season, with two catches for 15 yards over 51 offensive snaps. He also played 36 special teams snaps in those games.

Cephus had a promising start to the 2021 season (15 catches for 2014 yards), before a collarbone injury in Week 5 sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Quintez Cephus not likely to have a huge role when he’s able to play

The Lions have a very healthy wide receiver room right now, with Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds and of course the rookie Williams not on the injury report, IR, etc. So Cephus, with the latest date to return heading into Week 17, would be the No. 5 wide receiver right now if he were going to play.

Injuries can always change the equation, so Cephus may step into a bigger offensive role than foreseen right now by the time he’s activated. Not that it won’t be an important role, however small or unglamorous, and the bigger picture positive is the Lions are on track to add another healthy player to the mix.