Jahmyr Gibbs Injury Update: Lions Can Afford to Take It Slow

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs left Monday’s practice with a hamstring injury , throwing a dark cloud over what has for the most part been a sunny and bright forecast for the team’s 2024 NFL season.

The Lions are coming off their first division title in 30 years. They finished 12-5 last season and took a 14-point lead into the second half of the NFC title game before eventually falling to the San Francisco 49ers. Gibbs was every bit the multi-purpose threat the Lions hoped he would be when they drafted him in 2023 with the 12 ^th overall pick. Gibbs rushed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 52 receptions for another 316 yards and one score.

The team has yet to provide an in-depth update on Gibbs’ current injury. Depending on the severity of a hamstring injury, a player could miss a few weeks or a few months. So there’s definitely reason for Lions fans to hold their breath until more detail comes out.

That said, if the injury is manageable, it shouldn’t have a major impact on the Lions’ postseason goals. For starters, don’t forget that Gibbs wasn’t even the Lions’ leading rusher last season. That distinction went to David Montgomery, who rushed for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. Detroit also boasts a capable third-strong back in Craig Reynolds, so the Lions won’t have to over-work Montgomery while Gibbs is out.

Of course, quarterback Jared Goff has plenty of weapons in the passing game, led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and second-year tight end Sam La Porta.

More importantly, the Lions won’t get into their divisional schedule until the third week of October. The start of the season won’t be easy — the Lions open with back-to-back games against the two teams they defeated in last year’s postseason, the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if Gibbs does miss the start of the regular season, it’s to his benefit that Detroit has a Week 4 bye.

The Lions, favored to repeat as division champs, won’t face an NFC North rival until they travel to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7.

In other words, the Lions can afford to give Gibbs as much time as he needs to make a full recovery and be 100% when he returns to action.

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