Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. announced on Instagram that he will be taking a step back from the team to attend to personal family matters. Following this announcement, the Lions made the procedural move of releasing Jones from the roster. The talented veteran wide receiver has had a relatively quiet season so far, with just five catches for 35 yards in six games.
Jones, who is 33 years old, did not travel with the team for their recent game against the Baltimore Ravens due to non-injury related personal matters. In his Instagram post, he expressed his love and respect for the Ford Family, the city of Detroit, his teammates, and coaches. He explained that his decision to step away from the team was not an easy one, but he realized that he needed to prioritize his family and could not fully dedicate himself as both a player and family man.
Throughout his career, Jones has been an important asset to the Detroit Lions organization. He has played a total of 151 games over the span of 12 seasons and has amassed impressive statistics. With 547 receptions for 7,421 yards and 58 touchdowns, his contributions on the field have been invaluable. Notably, Jones had a standout season in 2017, reaching the milestone of 1,000 receiving yards with 61 catches for 1,101 yards and leading the NFL with an impressive 18.0 yards per catch.
After spending two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones returned to Detroit this year. However, his return has been cut short due to personal family matters. Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation after the team’s 38-6 loss to the Ravens, stating that it was difficult to provide specific details about the length of Jones’ absence at that moment. Campbell simply referred to it as a personal issue.
The Detroit Lions organization has been supportive of Jones and his family throughout his tenure with the team. Jones expressed his deep appreciation for their unwavering love and support in his Instagram post. He assured his teammates and coaches that he will be rooting for them every step of the way and believes that this year will be the Lions’ year.
As of now, it remains uncertain how long Jones will be away from the team. The specifics of his personal family matters have not been disclosed. However, the Lions will have to make adjustments to their receiving corps in his absence. Despite this setback, the team will continue to strive for success on the field, with the support and encouragement of one of their most respected and talented veteran players.
Marvin Jones Jr.’s decision to prioritize his family over his professional football career demonstrates the balance that many athletes strive to achieve. While the Lions will miss his presence, they understand and respect his choice. The Detroit community, along with fans across the NFL, will undoubtedly send their well-wishes to Jones and his family during this time.