KEY QUESTIONS: Why Lions traded for WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Detroit Lions, addressed the media on Tuesday after the team defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 26-14 on Monday Night Football. Here are all the key questions from Campbell’s press conference:
Why was trading for veteran wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones so important to Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes?
Peoples-Jones is a Detroit native and played his college football at Michigan. He brings good size (6-2, 204) and versatility to a Detroit receiver corps that is down a player after Marvin Jones Jr. left the team to deal with personal family matters.
“I always feel like you’re one injury away,” Campbell said of the trade. We wanted to look into the possibility of acquiring that position if we could find a stable, trustworthy player who fits us and can play outside.
“We thought the DPJ (People-Jones) out there truly suited us. He fits our style. He’s smart and he can play multiple positions. He plays everything for them out there. We just feel like he’ll be a good fit.”
Peoples-Jones has recorded 117 receptions for 1,837 yards (15.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns in three and a half seasons. Along with 18 kickoff returns for 379 yards (21.1 avg.), he has also returned 61 punts for 479 yards (7.9 avg.) and one touchdown.
View photos of new Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Before Campbell announced the trade, Holmes was at the podium.
“We are excited about the kid,” Holmes said. “He’s had good production in the past. He’ll be a fit here. He has always had excellent morals. Obviously, he’s from Michigan.
Detroit is his home. I just talked to the kid, and he’s fired up about getting this process going.
“He brings versatility. Large in stature, he possesses strong contested catch abilities. He is got two spaces to play: outside and inside. He’s a very smart player.
He has shown incredible durability. He just fits everything that we’re about, so I think he’ll fit in just fine.”
The Lions sent over a 2025 sixth-round draft pick to Cleveland in the deal.
Are there any injury updates from Monday night’s game?
One significant injury, unfortunately.
In light of Scott Daly’s knee injury against the Raiders and the need for surgery, the Lions will be searching for a replacement long snapper. Campbell said Daly is headed to IR.
That’s a pretty big loss for Detroit because Daly was playing really well. It is fortunate for a long snapper that he remained unnoticed for eight weeks.
He won the job in training camp and was playing good ball. That will be one acquisition the Lions need to make over their bye week.