Should be healthy soon
Hockenson (thumb) recently said he'll be healthy for the start of the Lions' offseason program, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. "I'm almost there already, and it's only been a few weeks," Hockenson said. "Just a few more left, and I'll be 100 percent by the offseason."
The tight end had surgery on his left thumb in mid-December, thus wrapping up the 2021 season with a 61-583-4 receiving line in 12 games (84 targets, 7.0 per week). Hockenson now enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, though the Lions presumably will exercise his fifth-year team option before the May 2 deadline. He should retain breakout appeal as he enters his age-25 season, especially if the Lions upgrade at other positions this spring. Hockenson is one of the core pieces of Detroit's rebuild and a true three-down tight end.
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Kalil Pimpleton
WR | DET
Looking good at rookie minicamp
Pimpleton was "electric" in the open field during the portions of Detroit's rookie minicamp that were open to the media, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.
DJ Chark Jr.
WR | DET
No physical limitations
Chark said he has taken part in early offseason workouts with no real physical limitations, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "[The coaching staff] is always there to let me know like, if it's bothering me I don't have to push it as hard or things like that, cause they want me to be where I'm at my peak when the season starts. But no, I do everything that everybody else does," Chark recently said.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR | DET
Offensive role shrinking
St. Brown acknowledged that Detroit's offseason acquisitions could lead to a lesser role than he had in the final six games of last season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "Adding some receivers, I think we're a complete offense now if you ask me, so I'm excited to see what we can do," St. Brown said.
Greg Bell
RB | DET
Signs with Lions
Bell signed a contract with the Lions as an undrafted free agent, Kirk D. Kenney of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Quintez Cephus
WR | DET
Facing added competition
Cephus is facing added competition for snaps after the offseason acquisitions of DJ Chark and Jameson Williams (knee), Nick Baumgardner and Chris Burke of The Athletic report.
Jameson Williams
WR | DET
Surgeon provides hope
The orthopedic surgeon who led Williams' (knee) reconstructive ACL surgery indicated that the receiver's knee injury did not involve damage to other ligaments, and it is possible that Williams could gain medical clearance ahead of training camp, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "Jameson's goal is to play first preseason game, obviously. I told him, I said, 'Look, depending on which team you go to, most teams are probably - they're going to be very conservative. You've got to understand that,'" said Dr. Lyle Cain of Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center.
Jared Goff
QB | DET
Facing make-or-break season
Goff is facing a make-or-break season after Detroit spent its offseason improving his supporting cast without acquiring a potential successor at quarterback, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR | DET
Joined by first-round receiver
St. Brown is being joined by 2022 first-round draft pick Jameson Williams within the Lions' receiving corps, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
James Mitchell
TE | DET
Nearing full medical clearance
Mitchell (knee) expects to receive full medical clearance by June, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports. "I'm seven months out, seven months and some weeks," Mitchell said. "I'm pretty much back. I'm doing everything from running, cutting, running routes. I'm expected to be fully cleared by June at the latest. I'll be ready to go by training camp. I'm excited."
James Mitchell
TE | DET
Opportunity awaits in Motor City
The Lions selected Mitchell (knee) in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 177th overall.