Lions' Craig Reynolds: Returns to small offensive role
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Reynolds logged three offensive snaps during Sunday's win over the Chargers.
With David Montgomery back in action, Reynolds returned to logging more than half of the available snaps on specials teams, just as he had when Montgomery was healthy early in the season. This arrangement presumably won't change as long as Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs stay healthy.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Impresses with extended opportunity
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Reynolds rushed 14 times for 74 yards and brought in his only target for 13 yards in the Lions' 26-14 win over the Raiders on Monday.
Reynolds parlayed a season-high tally in rush attempts into his best yardage total of the campaign. He consistently gained positive chunks of yardage with his carries, further cementing his status as one of the best No. 3 backs in the league. While he'll presumably be relegated to a smaller role on offense once David Montgomery (ribs) returns following a Week 9 bye, Reynolds may have earned himself at least a slightly larger role moving forward even when the backfield is at full health.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Active in Week 7
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Reynolds (hamstring/toe) is listed as active Sunday at Baltimore.
Despite being capped to two limited sessions during Week 7 prep, Reynolds will gut through the hamstring and toe injuries that he dealt with in advance of this contest. With David Montgomery (ribs) sidelined, the Lions likely will lean on rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) out of the backfield, but Reynolds also should get some run. Through six games this season, Reynolds is averaging 3.7 yards on his 24 carries and has gathered in all three targets for 26 yards.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Expected to play Sunday
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Reynolds (hamstring/toe) is expected to suit up Sunday versus Baltimore, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Reynolds, who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to be on the field Sunday along with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, who has already been cleared to return from a two-game absence. Though Gibbs will be the favorite to lead Detroit's backfield, Reynolds could handle a significant role on early downs with David Montgomery (ribs) already ruled out. However, Reynolds' involvement could be more dependent on game script, as Gibbs would likely dominate the snaps if the Lions should fall behind early and abandon the run game. The Lions will officially announce Reynolds' status roughly 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
Reynolds (hamstring/toe) was limited at Thursday's practice.
The Lions held out Reynolds from Wednesday's walkthrough due to hamstring and toe injuries, but he joined rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) as a limited participant one day later. With David Montgomery (ribs) seemingly trending toward inactive status this weekend after failing to practice Wednesday or Thursday, Gibbs and Reynolds may have the best chances to suit up Sunday in Baltimore. Ultimately, the listings of all three running backs on Friday's practice report will be telling for the Lions' backfield situation for that contest.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Tending to pair of injuries
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Reynolds was held out of Wednesday's walk-through practice due to hamstring and toe injuries.
With Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) sidelined for a second consecutive contest Sunday in Tampa Bay, Reynolds served as the Lions' top reserve running back until David Montgomery went down with a rib injury in the second quarter. The situation allowed Reynolds to rack up 12 touches for 43 yards from scrimmage on a 61 percent share of snaps. On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Montgomery was in line to miss time, while Gibbs was trending in the right direction to return this Sunday at Baltimore. Indeed, Montgomery didn't practice Wednesday, and Gibbs was a limited participant, but Reynolds joined Montgomery as a non-participant. As a result, the backfield situation will need to be monitored as the week continues to see who among the trio may be able to play this weekend.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Takes over after Montgomery exits
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Reynolds rushed 10 times for 15 yards in Sunday's 20-6 win over Tampa Bay. He added two catches for 28 yards.
David Montgomery (ribs) exited the game in the second quarter while Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) was inactive for the second consecutive week. That left Reynolds to lead the backfield, and he found running room to be scarce, though Tampa Bay held Detroit to 1.8 yards per attempt on the ground overall. He also made a few key plays in the passing game, highlighted by a block on Amon-Ra St. Brown's touchdown just before halftime. While that won't help fantasy box scores, it could help keep Reynolds on the field as the lead back for a Week 7 matchup against Baltimore if Montgomery and Gibbs both remain sidelined.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Little production in larger role
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Reynolds rushed four times for 13 yards during Sunday's 20-6 win over Atlanta.
Reynolds ended up seeing 30 percent of the offensive snaps in the absence of David Montgomery (thigh) while Jahmyr Gibbs shouldered most of the rushing load. However, Detroit ended up working a third running back into the mix as well, with Zonovan Knight logging just as many rushing yards as Reynolds on one less carry and 13 fewer snaps. As it looks like Reynolds will not be a direct replacement for Montgomery, the former will be hard to trust even if Montgomery continues to miss time.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Week 3 Adds (RB Preview)
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I would not be surprised if Reynolds leads the Lions in rush attempts in Week 3 against the Falcons. Jahmyr Gibbs is a must-start back, but the rookie doesn't profile as a 20-touch back and the Lions feed their running backs. He's averaged 10.8 PPR Fantasy points in the three games he received double-digit touches.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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I wish we could say all the running back touches for the Lions in Week 3 were going to Jahmyr Gibbs with David Montgomery (thigh) not expected to play, but we know that's not likely to happen. Dan Campbell will lean on Reynolds, and he could be a surprise Fantasy option against the Falcons. Through two games, Montgomery is averaging 19 touches a game, and I wouldn't be shocked if Reynolds had more carries than Gibbs in this outing. Gibbs should be locked into your lineups as a top-tier Fantasy option, but Reynolds is a potential flex. Keep in mind that Montgomery has rushed for a touchdown in each of the first two games, so Reynolds could fall into the end zone against Atlanta at home.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Steps in for Montgomery
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Reynolds rushed three times for seven yards while securing his only target for minus-2 yards during Sunday's 37-31 loss to Seattle.
Reynolds played only on special teams in the season opener but stepped in for 10 offensive snaps following David Montgomery's (thigh) exit to the locker room. While head coach Dan Campbell only labeled Montgomery as "day-to-day" in advance of a Week 3 showdown against Atlanta, Reynolds could handle some sort of role between the tackles if Montgomery misses time. Jahmyr Gibbs would figure to see a boost in snaps as well -- after the first-round rookie was held below 50 percent of the offensive snaps in both of the first two weeks -- but Reynolds would be the main beneficiary if Detroit remains hesitant with putting too much on Gibbs' plate.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: No offensive snaps
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Reynolds did not log a snap on offense during Thursday's 21-20 win over the Chiefs.
Reynolds secured the No. 3 role at running back in the wake of Justin Jackson's retirement this summer. While he started the year totally contained to special teams as David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs shouldered the load, Reynolds may have contingent fantasy value in a strong Detroit offense should anything happen to either of the top two running backs.
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Craig Reynolds: Let go by Lions
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Reynolds was released by the Lions on Tuesday.
Detroit opted to keep only two running backs on its initial 53-man roster: Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Full back Jason Cabinda also made the team. Reynolds played well in the preseason, and the Kutztown product will likely get a chance to stick around on the practice squad to provide organizational depth in case Gibbs or Montgomery gets hurt.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Totals 218 yards in 2022
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Reynolds rushed 23 times for 102 yards while catching nine of 10 targets for 116 yards over nine games in 2022.
Reynolds opened the year as the No. 3 running back behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, but he couldn't stay healthy and eventually fell behind Justin Jackson on the depth chart as well. While Reynolds is now set to hit free agency at the end of the league year, it's possible he could return to a more prominent role for the Lions in 2023 considering both Williams and Jackson are also on expiring contracts.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Listed as inactive
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Reynolds (coach's decision) will be inactive for Saturday's game against the Panthers.
With D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Justin Jackson ahead of him on the depth chart and healthy, Reynolds will be the odd-man-out Saturday. The 26-year-old has suited up for six games this season, but has not suited up since Week 8.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Heads to IR
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Detroit placed Reynolds (ribs) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Reynolds was forced out of Sunday's win over Green Bay due to the rib injury and will now be required to miss at least the Lions' next four games with his move to IR. His absence should open up even more opportunities for Justin Jackson as the Lions' No. 3 back behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Downgraded to out
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Reynolds (ribs) was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Packers.
Reynolds will not be able to return after being forced out with a rib injury in the first half against Green Bay. The 26-year-old played a minor role in Detroit's offense over the first seven games, and his next chance to suit up will come versus the Bears on Sunday, Nov. 13.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Week 4 Waiver Priority List
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With D'Andre Swift now expected to miss at least the next two games, Reynolds moves up to No. 2 on the depth chart in Detroit behind Jamaal Williams. Reynolds could have some flex appeal in deeper leagues since the Lions have used Swift and Williams in tandem all season, and Reynolds just had six carries for 13 yards, along with one catch for 5 yards on one target, in Week 3 at Minnesota when Swift was injured. Reynolds is now a Williams injury away from being a potential flex option or better in all leagues. He's worth 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Four touches against former team
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Reynolds rushed three times for 16 yards while securing his only target for 13 yards during Sunday's 36-27 win over Washington.
After being contained to special teams in the season opener, Reynolds saw some modest run, possibly because of D'Andre Swift's reported ankle sprain. He was efficient in doing so, but he didn't see nearly enough playing time behind Swift and Jamaal Williams to have a chance at fantasy relevance.
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Lions' Craig Reynolds: Plays into fourth quarter
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Reynolds rushed six times for 31 yards while catching two of three targets for 13 yards during Sunday's 19-9 loss to the Steelers.
Considering Reynolds was the presumptive favorite for the No. 3 role at running back for most of the preseason, it was surprising to see him playing into the fourth quarter on both offense and special teams Sunday. Meanwhile, Justin Jackson totaled 83 yards on 10 touches and may be a making a claim for his job. While it's possible that both players make the roster, there's no certainty that Detroit will keep five running backs on the roster given that Godwin Igwebuike seems likely to stick around for special-teams purposes.
