The Detroit Lions are going to want a brand new punt returning this week, as Kalif Raymond is coping with a foot damage and isn’t anticipated to play on Thanksgiving in opposition to the Chicago Bears.
A lot to the dismay of many Lions followers, Detroit used Amon-Ra St. Brown in the course of final week’s sport. Whereas some frightened about an damage threat—and St. Brown is on the damage report with a knee damage, however is anticipated to play this week—Campbell instructed native radio station 97.1 The Ticket that he was probably the most dependable choice they’d at that second. With every week to organize for all times with out Raymond, the Lions look like planning for another person to take the function.
“You already know why Saint was in there? As a result of Leaf (Raymond) bought harm. So now that we’re in one other week, we’re going to have most likely a special returner,” Campbell stated on the radio. “And if we want Saint in a important (state of affairs), then we’ll use him, however that was actually why he was in there as a result of he’s sure-handed and we all know he’ll get the job completed. And he’s simply so rattling dependable. If he wasn’t that dependable, perhaps we wouldn’t put him again there.”
Then, a couple of hours later, Campbell was requested in a press convention in regards to the punt returner state of affairs. His reply, in the event you simply learn the phrases, tells a very totally different story.
“I’m nonetheless making an attempt to consider that, as a result of a part of me says, ‘Use Saint once more, as a result of he’s probably the most dependable,’” Campbell stated. “So we may do this. You already know what? We’re going to try this.”
However if you see him reply that query, it definitely appears like there’s some playful gamesmanship taking place.
Is he critical? Is he joking round? He’s definitely being just a little humorous, as evidenced by his wry smile after delivering his reply. And he’s definitely joked and been playfully sarcastic with the media earlier than. And that’s my learn on the state of affairs. He’s joking round, however I suppose there may be sufficient ambiguity right here to depart folks guessing.
If the Lions don’t go along with St. Brown on Thursday, they do have another cheap choices. On the observe squad, Maurice Alexander has loads of expertise as a returner. He returned six kickoffs for the Lions in 2022, 25 punt returns for Florida Worldwide in faculty, and 13 punts for the Philadelphia Stars within the short-lived USFL in 2022.
It’s possible you’ll bear in mind this punt return from Alexander within the preseason final 12 months:
Different Lions gamers with return expertise embrace Jameson Williams, Tom Kennedy, Craig Reynolds, and the participant with probably the most NFL punt return reps on the whole workforce (61) Donovan Peoples-Jones.
