With Alex Anzalone out last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, the remaining Detroit Lions linebackers had to step up and step into roles they haven't really filled this season. Rookie Jack Campbell was the headliner there, but Jalen Reeves-Maybin was called upon to play more defensive snaps as well.
After the game, head coach Dan Campbell lauded Reeves-Maybin's contributions to the win over the Saints.
"He's a core player. He's our captain. He's a productive player. He's smart. He's a team guy and he's versatile, and he can play defense,"
"Nobody batted an eye. It was one of those things, 'Hey, we're going to lose Alex this week, let's get JRM in on third down and let him cover (Kamara) a bit and do some things for us."
After a season with the Houston Texans in 2022, Reeves-Maybin came back to the Lions last offseason. He has been a core special teamer, as he was over his first five seasons with the team after being a fourth-round pick in 2017. Against the Saints he had four tackles on kickoff and punt coverage, to go along with what he did defensively (two total tackles, a pass breakup, one quarterback hit).
Jalen Reeves-Maybin wins NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13
Reeves-Maybin got noticed for that work on kick coverage against New Orleans, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13. He is the first non-specialist (kicker, punter, return man) to win the award this season.
The last Lions' non-specialist to win Special Teams Player of the Week was safety Bracy Walker in Week 1 of the 2004 season (h/t to Lions Wire).
Jalen Reeves-Maybin has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 13.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 6, 2023
Congrats, @ReevesMaybin! pic.twitter.com/J0mTQNk6yE
Reeves-Maybin is now tied for the league lead with 11 special teams tackles this season. He has been a key (re-) addition for the Lions.
Reeves-Maybin joins quarterback Jared Goff (Week 6) and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (Week 3) as Lions who have earned player of the week awards this season. Detroit's last Special Teams Player of the Week was return man Kalif Raymond, in Week 15 last year.