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Lions staying upbeat with Marvin Jones despite lack of impact on stat sheet
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Allen Park — The re-signing of wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. after a two-year stint in Jacksonville was supposed to be more than a feel-good story. A late addition through the free agency process, Jones was going to bring a veteran presence to the Lions' receiving room, rounding out an already-potent offense.
And even though it wasn't a one-to-one replacement in terms of the skill set, Jones was taking D.J. Chark's spot on the roster. The former Lion had battled an ankle injury during his one season in Detroit, but he still managed to contribute a touch more than 500 yards and three scores in 11 games.
But through four games in 2023, Jones hasn't come close to matching that level of contribution. Despite being one of the 10 most-productive receivers in franchise history from his previous run (2016-20), he's hauled in just two balls for 8 yards through the first month of the season.
Jones had a particularly brutal debut, dropping two passes and losing a fumble in the red zone in Detroit's win over Kansas City. In the three ensuing contests, he's seen his snap count decline each week and hasn't caught a pass, only seeing a single target.
Still, despite the lack of impact on the stat sheet, position coach Antwaan Randle El was quick to praise Jones' work on and off the field.
"It's clicking, it's just the opportunity," Randle El said. "I can't say enough about Marvin and what he's bringing to the table for us on the field — not just on the field, but in the room, too. As a 12-year veteran, I can be explaining something and some of the young guys can be like, 'Nah coach, I don't see it like that.' And then Marv says something, and it's like, 'OK, I get it.'
"Marv will be fine. He'll bounce back more and more. … We got a long season. We need every guy."
But with the return of Jameson Williams, who is coming off his suspension two games early this week after the league adjusted its penalties for violating the gambling policy, plus the slow increase of playing time for rookie Antoine Green, it would appear snaps could be even more scarce for Jones, barring an injury somewhere else on the depth chart.
Randle El countered, saying there will continue to be plays the team will include within the weekly game plan that Jones is better suited to run than others.
"Yeah, and I told him (opportunities are) going to be there," Randle El said. "The reason is, guys run different things. There are certain things that I wouldn't put Jamo (Williams) on that I would put Marv on, and vice versa. You would think I could put Saint (Amon-Ra St. Brown) on everything, and he would think so as well, but we just don't. Give it to Marv, and if it fits, it fits. If not, we don't run it. We try to put our guys in the best position to make a play."
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Allen Park — The re-signing of wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. after a two-year stint in Jacksonville was supposed to be more than a feel-good story. A late addition through the free agency process, Jones was going to bring a veteran presence to the Lions' receiving room, rounding out an already-potent offense.
And even though it wasn't a one-to-one replacement in terms of the skill set, Jones was taking D.J. Chark's spot on the roster. The former Lion had battled an ankle injury during his one season in Detroit, but he still managed to contribute a touch more than 500 yards and three scores in 11 games.
But through four games in 2023, Jones hasn't come close to matching that level of contribution. Despite being one of the 10 most-productive receivers in franchise history from his previous run (2016-20), he's hauled in just two balls for 8 yards through the first month of the season.
Jones had a particularly brutal debut, dropping two passes and losing a fumble in the red zone in Detroit's win over Kansas City. In the three ensuing contests, he's seen his snap count decline each week and hasn't caught a pass, only seeing a single target.
Still, despite the lack of impact on the stat sheet, position coach Antwaan Randle El was quick to praise Jones' work on and off the field.
"It's clicking, it's just the opportunity," Randle El said. "I can't say enough about Marvin and what he's bringing to the table for us on the field — not just on the field, but in the room, too. As a 12-year veteran, I can be explaining something and some of the young guys can be like, 'Nah coach, I don't see it like that.' And then Marv says something, and it's like, 'OK, I get it.'
"Marv will be fine. He'll bounce back more and more. … We got a long season. We need every guy."
But with the return of Jameson Williams, who is coming off his suspension two games early this week after the league adjusted its penalties for violating the gambling policy, plus the slow increase of playing time for rookie Antoine Green, it would appear snaps could be even more scarce for Jones, barring an injury somewhere else on the depth chart.
Randle El countered, saying there will continue to be plays the team will include within the weekly game plan that Jones is better suited to run than others.
"Yeah, and I told him (opportunities are) going to be there," Randle El said. "The reason is, guys run different things. There are certain things that I wouldn't put Jamo (Williams) on that I would put Marv on, and vice versa. You would think I could put Saint (Amon-Ra St. Brown) on everything, and he would think so as well, but we just don't. Give it to Marv, and if it fits, it fits. If not, we don't run it. We try to put our guys in the best position to make a play."
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter/X: @Justin_Rogers
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