Josh Reynolds, the former Detroit Lions wide receiver, is now a free agent after being waived by the Denver Broncos on December 3. Reynolds had been on injured reserve since Week 5 and needed to be cut or activated before the deadline. The 30-year-old struggled with injuries and inconsistency after joining the Broncos in the offseason, failing to replicate the performance he had during his last two seasons in Detroit.
Reynolds’ tenure in Detroit ended on a sour note, particularly after he made several costly drops in the NFC Championship loss to the San Francisco 49ers. As a result, many do not expect a return to the Lions. Reynolds’ departure and the team’s subsequent changes make it even more unlikely that Detroit would show interest in bringing him back.
In his three seasons with the Lions, Reynolds accumulated 97 receptions, 1,393 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 38 games. He was once the No. 2 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, but the Lions have since shifted their focus to other players, making his return to the team improbable. The team has also integrated Tim Patrick into their offense, further diminishing any need for Reynolds.
The Broncos, who are still fighting for a playoff spot, waived Reynolds after a win over the Cleveland Browns. Although he was initially seen as a significant addition to the Broncos’ offense, Reynolds was unable to make an impact due to his struggles with injuries and lack of consistency.
Meanwhile, the Lions have continued to move forward without Reynolds. They have given more playing time to third-year wide receiver Jameson Williams, who has been the most productive of his career so far. Williams has tallied 34 catches, 630 yards, and four touchdowns, emerging as a key contributor in the offense.
Despite some off-field struggles, including a two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Williams has earned the trust of head coach Dan Campbell. After his suspension, Campbell praised Williams for his focus and commitment, believing the time off helped him reflect on his actions and grow as a player.
Campbell is confident that Williams will continue to improve, stating that the time away from the game allowed him to reflect and better appreciate the sport. With his return from suspension, Campbell expects Williams to come back stronger and more focused, contributing even more to the Lions’ offense.
