ESPN Provides Critical Injury Update on Jahmyr Gibbs Ahead of Week 1 vs. Rams
Detroit Lions fans have been worried about running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ availability for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams after he sustained a hamstring injury on August 12 during training camp. However, the Lions have now provided some encouraging news about Gibbs ahead of Week 1.
Jahmyr Gibbs Cleared to Play
As of September 4, the Lions’ injury report no longer lists Gibbs, signaling that he’s fully healthy and ready to take on the Rams on Sunday, September 8.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell emphasized the importance of testing Gibbs’ speed in practice. “When you can run like he runs—you need to hit that speed in practice daily or you risk an injury on Sunday,” Campbell said. “If you sprint at 22 miles per hour, you better practice it because the first time you do it in a game under pressure, bad things can happen. So, we’re making sure he’s ready, and we like where he’s at.”
Gibbs, the Lions’ No. 12 overall pick last season, impressed in his rookie year, recording 1,261 total yards and 11 touchdowns in 15 games. He rushed for 945 yards with 10 touchdowns and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Additionally, he caught 52 passes for 316 yards and one touchdown. Tackle Penei Sewell also remains absent from the injury report, making him available for Sunday’s game.
Gibbs Feels ‘More Confident
Gibbs told ESPN on September 3 that he feels close to fully recovered, estimating his health at “98-100 percent.”
“I’m good. I’m straight,” Gibbs said in the interview. “I just had a little tweak. We were running routes, and I reached out for the ball, probably overstepped or something.”
He expressed optimism about the season, adding, “I feel more confident and know the offense better, which makes everything easier.”
Gibbs Expected to Have a Bigger Role This Season
During the offseason, Lions general manager Brad Holmes discussed Gibbs’ potential for a larger role.
“I definitely expect him to have more of a workload,” Holmes said on *The Rich Eisen Show* in May. “But David Montgomery is still here. Dan and I love the 1-2 punch of Gibbs and David. As a rookie last year, even when he showed flashes in the Kansas City game, I could tell he was still adjusting to the speed of the game.”
Holmes noted that once Gibbs found his rhythm, fans saw glimpses of his potential, particularly in the game against the Ravens and his breakout performance against the Raiders. “Now you’re seeing the player everyone saw at Alabama,” Holmes added.
