The Detroit Lions have an 11-1 record after a narrow 23-20 victory over NFC North foe Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving, but they are suffering with a number of injuries.
Now, the team is preparing for a high-profile game against another NFC North foe, the Green Bay Packers, on “Thursday Night Football” on December 2, and they’re taking some steps to better prepare themselves in the aftermath of these injuries.
On Friday, November 29, the Lions signed linebacker and former Pro Bowler Kwon Alexander to bolster their defense, which was welcome news. They are now adding another essential piece to their lineup.
Detroit Lions Make Big Moves Ahead of Green Bay Packers Game
According to ESPN insider and expert Adam Schefter, the Lions are adding former three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams to Detroit’s practice squad, and he won’t be on the practice squad long.
“Former Pro-Bowl safety Jamal Adams is signing with the Lions practice squad with the idea that he’ll be elevated to Detroit’s roster, per source,” Schefter stated on X.
“Adams had been eyeing an opportunity with a playoff contender. Adams’ agent, Kevin Conner of @UniSportsMgmt, confirmed the agreement.”
Adams seems happy with the move, as he took to X on Saturday to write, “God is good.” Sure, he could have been referring to anything, but the timing of his post seems to correlate to the Detroit news.
Adams, 29, appeared in three games for the Tennessee Titans this season but was cut on October 17, “honoring the request he made to the team,” according to ESPN. He’s a veteran in the NFL, now in his eighth NFL season, and has played for the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks and Titans. He was a 2017 first-round pick by the Jets and was named an All-Pro in 2019.
In his pro career, Adams has notched 498 tackles, 36 pass breakups, 21.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and four interceptions.
Jamal Adams Can Be a ‘Great Fit’ for the Detroit Lions
The Lions have a solid safety team with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, but NFL analyst and expert Brad Berreman of SideLion Report says “Adams can still be a great fit.”
“Adams is getting far removed from his best days at this point, and when he has been healthy lately he has been a liability in coverage,” Berreman noted in a December 1 feature.
But, he added that Adams “could certainly fit in a hybrid box safety/linebacker role like what (Lions safety) Ifeatu Melifonwu did (and was so effective at) late last season.”
Berreman continued, “If Adams can be healthy, he could be impactful for the Lions down the stretch and into the playoffs. But that’s hardly a guarantee, as he’s more name than game at this point.”
Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report had good things to say about the signing, noting in a December 1 feature, “The team needs to replenish its defensive depth for the home stretch of the regular season and playoffs.”
He added that given Adams’ history, “it’s understandable why fans would get excited about the potential for Adams to play under head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.”
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Dan Campbell Finally Breaks Silence On Lions’ Photo Leak
On Monday, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the recent controversy surrounding a photo leak by running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The image, which showed a whiteboard containing offensive play calls and dropback protection information, made its way onto social media following the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day victory over the Chicago Bears.
While the leak raised concerns among fans and analysts about the potential for other teams to gain a competitive advantage, Campbell took a more relaxed stance when discussing the situation.
Speaking on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell responded to the incident with his usual no-nonsense approach, saying, “I don’t really give a crap. If we’re gonna lose because of code words, then we’re not good enough anyway.”
Campbell’s comments emphasize his belief that the Lions’ success isn’t reliant on keeping every detail of their playbook under wraps.
“I think we’ll just post the whole freaking playbook and every code word we’ve got. It doesn’t matter. It’s not gonna hurt us,” he continued, dismissing the idea that the photo leak would significantly impact the team’s performance.
While Campbell’s relaxed attitude may surprise some, it reflects his confidence in his team’s ability to execute regardless of outside distractions. He is known for his focus on building a resilient, mentally tough team, and this response aligns with that philosophy.
The Lions are 11-1 on the season and have been a formidable force on both sides of the ball, thanks in large part to Campbell’s leadership.
Despite the lighthearted tone of Campbell’s response, the incident has led the Lions to review how sensitive information is shared within the team. Although Gibbs’ mistake may not have hurt the Lions in the long run, the team is expected to reinforce protocols moving forward to ensure that nothing like this happens again.
For now, the focus remains on the future, with Campbell confident in his team’s ability to keep their momentum going as they push toward the playoffs. And while the incident may have sparked a few laughs within the organization, Campbell’s approach is clear: they’re not sweating the small stuff when it comes to playbook leaks.
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DETROIT PHOTO LEAK: Do Opponents Now Have the Upper Hand Against the Lions?
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs made a mistake.
Over the weekend, after the Lions defeated the Bears on Thanksgiving, a beat reporter brought to the attention of head coach Dan Campbell a photo had been circulated online of running back Jermar Jefferson.
Unfortunately, the photo, which has now been widely circulated all over social media, featured information pertinent to the offense, including dropback protection calls written on a whiteboard.
Running back Jermar Jefferson spoke to Lions after practice Sunday and discussed how the unit has addressed the mistake and if the information would provide another team some sort of competitive advantage.
“Not really. It was a mistake. I feel like it was a mistake,” said Jefferson.
“It hasn’t really been talked about. Just as backs, as the players, we’ve been talking about it. That’s about it though.”
As of Sunday afternoon, the coaching staff has reportedly not addressed the matter yet with Gibbs, but are expected to.
What makes the Lions one of the most successful teams in the NFL is the locker room polices itself.
As a unit, it was made pretty clear that taking photos and sharing information from meeting rooms is not going to occur moving forward.
Jefferson noted, “Yeah, exactly. Something quick. Yeah, just, ‘Don’t do it again,’ type thing.”
The young running back expressed the information that was presented on the whiteboard is modified consistently and the offense doesn’t just operate by what was written.
“It changes up every week,” said Jefferson.
“We don’t just go by those protections on the board.”
When asked if the information presented, if changed regularly was easy to retain, Jefferson replied, “I’ve been in the building with this offense for three years. It’s pretty easy now, but when I was a rookie it was pretty hard. Now it’s just like second nature.”
Former Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang called the photo a “nothing burger.”
David Bakhtiari, who played in Green Bay from 2013-2023, shared a different opinion online.
“Yikes. This is very damning,” the retired lineman shared online.
“Plays are pretty universal. It’s the code words they assign and use at the line of scrimmage that is a problem. Going to have to completely revamp new words to assign (no-huddle code words or OTL code words).”
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Detroit’s coaching staff is not angered but disappointed a player who played for Nick Saban at Alabama, and who is considered a “cerebral” individual, would make this type of mistake.
Gibbs is not expected to face on-field disciplinary actions, but the team could lean a little more on Montgomery this week, due to his success against the Packers.
The 24-year-old has worked diligently on the mental side of the game, making sure he is able to handle the ups and downs of life in the NFL.
“I feel good. Physically, mentally, mentally most part, I feel good,” said Jefferson.
“And physically, and just emotionally. Everything all around. I feel good, just trying to stay in it.
“I feel like I’m just better, my mind’s just better overall, I feel like. I would say physically, just everything. I feel like routes have gotten better, gotten a little neater and just catching the ball.”
Playing behind and observing one of the top running back tandems has proved extremely beneficial for the former seventh round pick.
“A lot of progress. They both are great backs,” Jefferson said.
“They’re both very different, but when you put them together, they’re perfect. David, he really can do everything. They both can do everything, for real, but David is just a little bigger and Jah is a little faster. That’s all.”
Being a part of an 11-1 football team has made the grind and long hours enjoyable, as the practice facility has been a positive environment with contagious energy.
“It’s lovely. Just the energy around the building is just positive,” said Jefferson.
“Everybody’s emotions, and just when you see people around the building they’re just smiling. You can just tell it’s going good, and hopefully we’ll keep winning.”
Jefferson indicated if his name is called, he will be ready to step up and perform in Johnson’s offense.
“My own development, I’d say just staying patient,” said Jefferson.
“Keeping my head close with God, my mentals strong. Whenever my name’s called, I’ll be ready.”
