Detroit Lions DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) said that he's ready to go for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Gibbs said he feels around 98-100% healthy after tweaking his hamstring early in training camp while running routes. "I'm good, just had a little tweak," Gibbs said. The second-year RB also said he's "more confident overall" entering Year 2. The 22-year-old returned to practice a week ago, and although he may be listed on the team's first official injury report on Wednesday, fantasy managers that invested in him at the end of the first round or early in the second round of drafts this year should feel confident that he'll be active on Sunday. Gibbs will be a must-start RB1 each week he's active, but he'll carry more bust potential in the season opener if the Lions decide to lean more towards backfield mate David Montgomery to ease Gibbs in.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) should be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season this Sunday night, Sept. 8, versus the Los Angeles Rams. Despite missing most of training camp due to a hamstring injury, LaPorta return to the practice field a week ago and should be ready to roll as a must-start in fantasy lineups this weekend. The 23-year-old second-year tight end was most likely the first TE off the board in your fantasy drafts this fall after setting an NFL record with 86 receptions in 2023. He could be listed on the team's injury report when official practice starts on Wednesday, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried at all that they won't have him on Sunday night. In addition to his 86 catches in his rookie campaign, LaPorta impressed with 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) should be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday, Sept. 8, against the Los Angeles Rams. Gibbs injured his hamstring in early August and missed most of training camp, but the 22-year-old second-year back should be available to play in the season opener this weekend. He was able to get back on the practice field last week. There's a chance Gibbs will be listed on the team's official injury report once they start practicing on Wednesday, but fantasy managers won't need to be worried that he won't suit up against the Rams. However, with all that said, there's a chance the Lions lean a bit more on David Montgomery in their backfield in Week 1, giving Gibbs a bit more bust potential as an RB1 to kick things off in 2024.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele drew praise from head coach Sean Payton when interviewed on Friday. Vele had been one of the standouts of Broncos camp and made the cut this week as Denver whittled down their roster to 53 in preparation for the regular season. When asked about the release of Tim Patrick, Payton remarked on the similarities between him and Vele and how the rookie reminds him of the veteran wideout. "They have like body types. They're big, they have strong hands in traffic," Payton said. "They're smart. They're tough. They catch it well. They block. Devaughn is a guy that I see in a similar way." Given his blocking ability and frame (6-foot-5), the former Utah Ute may see the field in his inaugural season. Additionally, the Broncos have little proven depth behind an aging Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds. Vele will compete with second-year wideout Marvin Mims Jr. and fellow rookie Troy Franklin for playing time in Denver's third wide receiver slot but can be safely avoided by fantasy managers for the time being.

Free agent wide receiver Allen Robinson II is signing with the Detroit Lions, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Robinson was recently cut by the New York Giants earlier this week. The 31-year-old has struggled over the past few seasons after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2019 and 2020. Since then, the Penn State product has averaged just 343 receiving yards each season, and will now look to join his fourth team in four years. Currently, the Lions have two wide receivers on the injured reserve, Tre'Quan Smith (undisclosed) and Antoine Green (concussion), which could open the door for the veteran to serve in a depth role throughout the season occasionally. For now, fantasy managers should feel comfortable leaving Robinson on their waiver wire.