Craig Reynolds, a running back, will probably join the Detroit Lions again in 2024.
Prior to the offseason, Reynolds was an exclusive rights free agent, and according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions tendered him. Reynolds’s likelihood of playing in Detroit the next season has increased with his tender.
Erik Schlitt of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit stated, “An exclusive rights tender almost assures Reynolds will return to the Lions roster this season, as his only other option is to not play in the NFL this season because he can not negotiate with other teams.” “Unless the Lions choose to offer him a contract extension, his contract will likely be a one-year, league-minimum deal ($985,000 for his level of NFL experience).”
Reynolds played more in 2023 than ever before, despite having a better year statistically in 2021. Last season, he played 132 offensive snaps and 211 special teams snaps, which is a career high.
Reynolds was an important member of Detroit’s third-team running back unit in 2023. When David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs were sidelined with injury in October, he recorded two games with at least ten carries.
In the NFC divisional round playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reynolds also scored a touchdown.
Reynolds rushed for 179 yards and a score in the 2023 regular season. In addition, he had five catches for 47 yards.
Lions Tender RB Craig Reynolds Reynolds signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins in the NFL’s inaugural season. Despite not making the squad as a rookie in 2019 training camp, he finally joined the team’s practice squad and made three appearances in games.
In 2020, Reynolds appeared in two games for the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing a contract with Detroit during the preseason of 2021. The last three seasons, he was a member of the Lions.
In 2021, he gained 230 yards through rushes on 55 carries, a career high. The following year, 2022, he recorded a career-high 9 catches for 116 yards.
However, as was previously said, Reynolds broke through into Detroit’s starting lineup in 2023, recording a career-high number of offensive and special teams snaps. For the first time in his career, he donned uniforms for every game during the regular season last season. In the regular season and playoffs, he also scored his first touchdown.
Reynolds has gained 733 yards from scrimmage in 36 NFL games, including 515 yards on the ground and 218 receiving yards. Of his 36 games, he has played 31 with the Lions.
The Lions brought back two running backs prior to free agency, with Reynolds being the second. Zonovan Knight, another undrafted free agent, was also signed by the Lions to a one-year contract.
Lions Have A Strong Depth of Running Backs Going Into NFL Free Agency
In free agency, the Lions had a respectable depth of backfield options thanks to the long-term contracts of Jake Funk, Jermar Jefferson, and Montgomery.
There are currently six running backs on the Lions roster before free agency even opens.
Knight was probably back to compete with Funk and Jefferson for the No. 3 running back position before the Lions placed Reynolds on a tender.
Reynolds must still consent before signing his tenure. But now that he’s back, Detroit’s No. 3 running back position probably won’t be competitive.
The Lions most likely won’t add another running back in free agency now that Reynolds is back. In the event of a preseason injury, Detroit already seems to have the depth it needs at the position.
