Eric Woodyard, ESPNAugust 20, 2024, 1:14 p.m. ET
CloseEric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter covering the Midwest region and assumed his current role in April 2021. A native of Flint, Michigan, Woodyard graduated from Western Michigan University and has authored and/or co-authored three books, including Wasted, Ethan's Talent Search and All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story. He is also the proud father of a son, Ethan. Follow him on Twitter: @E_Woodyard
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions Pro Bowl running back Jameer Gibbs is “on track” to be ready for the Week 1 game after suffering a hamstring injury during practice last week, according to head coach Dan Campbell.
Campbell expects the second-year star to return to practice next week following Detroit's final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 24.
“He's progressing well,” Campbell said ahead of Tuesday's practice. “I wish he could have practiced more, but health-wise he's on track and will be back on schedule and his leg will get better. We'll see how it goes with him.”
Gibbs, 22, left practice early on the night of Aug. 12 to be evaluated for a leg injury, but it is unclear what happened on that play.
As a 2023 rookie, he played a pivotal role in the offense, rushing for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns while also recording 316 yards receiving and one receiving touchdown.
Detroit has been hit with a slew of injuries recently, including injuries to Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring), OT Dan Skipper (ankle), OG Kevin Zeitler (shoulder), LB Malcolm Rodriguez and rookie DBs Terrion Arnold (pectoral muscle) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (ankle).
But Campbell expects his players to be ready by the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8.
“We're going to have him available starting next week,” Campbell said of Gibbs. “He's doing well and we expect a lot of guys to be back the day after the Pittsburgh game. Hopefully we'll have a lot of guys back on Sunday and then he'll practice next week before the Rams game and then he'll practice with the Rams.”
