Lions injury update: Jalen Reeves-Maybin returns to practice

The Detroit Lions got some positive injury news on Thursday, as veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin returned to practice. Reeves-Maybin remains on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury against the Green Bay Packers, but now the Lions have 21 days to evaluate him at practice. He is eligible to come off IR whenever the Lions deem him ready, although it’s unclear how soon the Lions plan on activating him.

The news comes as a relative surprise considering this is the last thing coach Dan Campbell said about Reeves-Maybin’s status back on December 9.

“Jalen Reeves-Maybin is better, but it’s just slow going right now. So, I don’t really know where he could be. There is a chance that we get him in a few weeks, there’s a chance that we don’t. So, it’s just kind of—it’s just where we’re at.”

The Lions could certainly use Reeves-Maybin back in the lineup as soon as possible, as the linebacker room has been ravished by injuries. In addition to Reeves-Maybin, Derrick Barnes, Alex Anzalone, and Malcolm Rodriguez are all on injured reserve, and only Anzalone is expected to return this season. With Reeves-Maybin’s return and Trevor Nowaske back after missing Sunday’s game against the Bills with a concussion—plus the recent signing of Anthony Pittman—suddenly the Lions’ linebacker room is looking a little more like it has the past couple years.

Without that depth, the Lions have relied upon players who were added to the squad in the middle of the season, including Ezekiel Turner, David Long, Kwon Alexander, and Jamal Adams. Last week, that unit struggled to hold the Bills running backs (eight catches, 156 yards) and tight ends (six catches, 95 yards) in check in the passing game.

Reeves-Maybin has notoriously been one of Detroit’s better third-down and coverage linebackers, while also giving the Lions a boost on special teams. We’ll see how the Lions proceed with him, but it looks like they’ll likely have him at least for their playoff run.