Veteran defensive back Jamal Adams was encouraged by his family to quickly get in contact with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

After being released by the Tennessee Titans in October, the 29-year-old was hoping for another opportunity to join a team that had an opportunity to have playoff success.

Adams has fond memories of Detroit’s defensive coordinator from participating in a Pro Day workout that was being run by Glenn, the Saints defensive back’s coach, prior to being selected sixth-overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

With all the injuries the Lions have been dealt with this season, Glenn decided it was time to get in contacted with the former three-time Pro-Bowler.

Adams made his first appearance at Lions practice Monday, wearing No. 25. He was observed participating in positional drills with the linebackers during the portion of practice open to the media, which is an intriguing development.

“I mean, there’s no better opportunity, man,” said Adams. “Obviously, just being home in Dallas and just continuing to train. When A.G. called, it was a no-brainer for me.”

When asked what his perspective from afar was of the Lions, Adams noted, “We’ve been kicking everybody’s a–. So, I’m fortunate enough, again, just to be on a team that’s rolling like this. Whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m here for.”

A former All-Pro safety, Adams does possess the physicality to slide down into the front seven and compete at the linebacker position. His versatility will be an asset for the Lions, who are currently navigating a number of injuries to their defense.

“It was definitely something I thought about, you know. If I can get an opportunity with a team that’s obviously winning and a first class organization,” Adams noted. “Obviously when the call came, it was like a dream come true.”

Dan Campbell indicated that Monday’s practice, which was designed to be full speed in the mold of what a Thursday practice would be on a traditional week, would say a lot about whether Adams would be elevated from the practice squad for the Packers game.

“Yeah, there again, we brought in he and Kwon Alexander, Myles Adams and Jonah Williams,” Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket. “So we’ve got some guys that we’re gonna get a look at and see, with what we have on this roster, who we can use, how we can use them, what gives us the best chance. There may be a place, there may be a place here for Jamal and today’s gonna tell a lot. This will be our full speed today, we’re gonna get really good movement. So we’ll have a whole better feel by this afternoon, five, six-o’clock tonight.”

Adams first impression of Detroit’s popular head coach was similar to what many new players who join the Lions’ roster express.

“He’s fired up. He’s very energetic,” said Adams. “That’s a coach that you will run through the wall for. It’s no secret to why Detroit is very good. So again, I’m just very excited to be here.”

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The Detroit Lions are facing a Chicago Bears team that are coming off of another tough loss.

Despite tying the game late, the Bears went on to lose to the Vikings in overtime, 30-27, dropping their fifth consecutive game and dipping their record to 4-7.

For Dan Campbell’s squad, three key contributors may not be available, especially with the upcoming game occurring just four days after a 24-6 win against the Indianapolis Colts.

Detroit’s fourth-year head coach expressed, “It’s going to come down to the wire with a number of them. That’s the challenge with the short week. The good news is, I think most of these are not some long-term thing, but the problem is three days to turn around and play. That’s where it becomes a bit of an issue. So, if we can’t, we’re prepare like we always are. Next man up. You got to hold the line, do your job and go compete.”

When asked specifically about which three players are the toughest to decide upon, Campbell noted three key players who have helped the team win nine consecutive games may not suit up.

“Right now, I mean, Decker, CD (Carlton Davis), Leaf (Kalif Raymond). Saint’s (Amon-Ra St. Brown) a little banged up. We’ll see how he recovers.”

 

Message during short week of preparation

For the Lions, the message this week is about healing up and preparing mentally for another NFC North matchup.

Detroit has not won on Thanksgiving since back in 2016. Quarterback Jared Goff expressed postgame the seven-game losing streak is one the current team would like to end.

“Message is really recovery. Rest, recovery and the mental work,” said Campbell. “It’s how fast can you recover, get your body right, get your mind focused on the job at hand, because you’re not going to get the physical. Block out all the distractions. That’s one thing, the distractions are on us, not on them. We got all our family here, friends, all that. You got to block it out, tell them you love them, and you’ll see them him after the game.

“That’s kind of the challenge with all this,” Campbell continued. “This team’s been in, they’ve lost a couple of heartbreakers in the last two weeks. But they’ve been in a bunch of these tight races, and they just keep coming back for more. So they’re hungry for a win. We got our hands full.”

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The Detroit Lions are at the point in their 2024 season where health and recovery are of the utmost importance.

Detroit is currently in the midst of a stretch in its schedule where it will play three NFL games in a span of 11 days.

“That’s where we’re at. Everything that you do that’s in front of you, how well can you recover? How much study can you put into this? Hydration, how well can you sleep at night? Just the discipline of everything,” Dan Campbell told the Lions flagship radio station prior to the team’s Week 12 game against the Colts. “All of that goes a long way. We’re in the time of year where you’re trying to alleviate stress off your guys as much as possible, so that they can go be at peak performance on Sundays.”

Detroit entered its contest against the Colts seeking to earn its ninth consecutive win, in front of many supporters who made the relatively short trip to Lucas Oil Stadium.

After 60 minutes of action, the Lions were able to defeat the Colts, 24-6, improving their record to 10-1. Unfortunately, injuries piled up for Detroit’s roster throughout the course of the hard-fought contest.

Here are several takeaways from the Lions’ Week 12 victory and ninth consecutive win.

Difficulty with Richardson’s athleticism early

Indianapolis won the opening coin toss, and elected to start the game on offense.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was benched earlier this season in favor of Joe Flacco, was able to use his athleticism and ability to scramble to aid the Colts’ offense. The physical signal-caller called his own number on a couple of occasions ealry in the game.

On the opening drive, the young quarterback rushed for 35 yards on three carries. The Colts’ six-minute drive stalled out near the end zone, as Matt Gay connected on a 27-yard field goal to give his team an early 3-0 lead.

Detroit’s defense had given up points on its opponent’s opening drive in eight of its previous 10 games.

Jahmyr Gibbs sparks offense

Detroit’s talented running back was an integral part of the team’s first touchdown drive.

Jared Goff faced pressure from the Colts’ defensive line on the Lions’ opening possession, taking the team out of field-goal range.

On Detroit’s opening possession, David Montgomery saw the bulk of the carries.

Gibbs was the back tasked with shouldering the load on Detroit’s second drive. The former first-round pick secured 23 yards on the ground, and capped off a nine-play, 60-yard drive with a 1-yard scamper. It gave Detroit the 7-3 lead, early in the second quarter.

With his touchdown, Gibbs became the third player in franchise history to score 10 or more touchdowns from scrimmage in their first two seasons. He joined a pair of franchise greats in Barry Sanders and Billy Sims as players to achieve that feat.

The former first round pick was able to secure another touchdown rush in the third quarter that extended Detroit’s lead to 21-6.

David Montgomery added a score to put the Lions in front, 14-6, which was his 11th touchdown of the season.

Vildor starts in place of Arnold

After suffering a groin injury earlier in the week, rookie starting cornerback Terrion Arnold was ruled out and replaced in the lineup by Kindle Vildor. Indianapolis quickly began targeting the backup corner with deep passes, and he avoided an early mistake when Anthony Richardson overthrew Alec Pierce.

However, Vildor would later be beaten a pair of times on Indianapolis’ second scoring drive. First, he was beaten on an out-route by Adonai Mitchell. Then, he was beaten on a long pass from Richardson to Pierce.

Fortunately for the Lions, the Colts’ drive stalled out, in part thanks to a drop in the end zone by tight end Drew Ogletree. Two early trips to the red zone for the Colts both ended in field goals, a testament to the Lions’ bend-but-don’t-break style.

Lions’ offense effective on third down

Detroit’s offense was able to march down the field on its opening possession of the second half.

Part of the reason for the success on offense was the Lions’ execution on third down.

Goff was able to lead the offense on a 54-yard drive, all the way down to the Colts’ 14-yard line, to start the third quarter. On third down, the offense was able to start five-of-eight.

Campbell faced a decision on 4th-and-1, and decided to remain aggressive. Unfortunately, the Colts’ defense was able to quickly penetrate into Detroit’s backfield, stuffing Montgomery short and preventing the Lions from extending their 14-6 lead.

Photo gallery from the Lions’ 24-6 road win over the Colts

Injuries pile up

The Lions’ first scoring drive of the second half was a fateful one. On the punt return, Kalif Raymond was injured. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker left just plays later, after getting rolled up on during a sack of Jared Goff. Both players were ruled questionable to return.

After that, Montgomery would also exit the game. Following Gibbs’ second score of the game, Montgomery was taken to the locker room, while Decker was being evaluated on the training table. Montgomery was ruled questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

Decker returned to action on the following drive, while Raymond was eventually ruled out.

Then, in the fourth quarter, cornerback Carlton Davis suffered what appeared to be a left knee injury. He proceeded to limp off the field.

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The Detroit Lions have been able play complementary football the past several weeks.

Heading on the road, it was paramount for Dan Campbell’s squad to be on its game, as there has been increased chatter this week about the team’s potential to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

“It goes down to that every week. First of all, don’t beat yourself,” Campbell told Fox 2 Gameday Live. “Make that opponent earn everything they get. And then, your best foot forward. How do we get a little bit better and improve against an opponent who really plays the game a lot like we do? So, this is gonna be an excellent battle.”

Lions fans again traveled well to Houston to observe one of the top teams in the NFC. With several players and coaches having ties to the area, playing well and executing were even more paramount.

Detroit did not play its best brand of football, as turnovers mounted and Houston took advantage early of a defense that did not have its new defensive end, Za’Darius Smith, in the lineup.

After 60 minutes of action, the Lions battled and left NRG Stadium with their eighth victory of the season, extending their winning streak to seven games.

Here are several takeaways from the Lions’ 26-23 victory against the Texans:

 

Texans in passing lanes early, force interception

After winning the opening coin toss, Detroit elected to receive the football to start the game.

Jared Goff, who has been efficient and playing his best football over the course of several weeks, was picked off by safety Jimmie Ward on a pass intended for running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Safety Jalen Pitre was able to deflect the pass that resulted in the early turnover.

It was Goff’s first interception since September, giving the Texans prime field position.

After starting on the Lions’ 33-yard line, C.J. Stroud led the Texans on an eight-play drive that culminated in a Joe Mixon 8-yard touchdown rush. It gave his team an early 7-0 lead.

The Texans forced another interception in the second quarter, when pressure impacted Goff’s ability to release the football quickly. Goff’s pass intended for LaPorta was picked off by linebacker Henry To’oTo’o.

First quarter does not go Lions way

It was an uncharacteristically rough start for Campbell’s squad in the first quarter.

After going three-and-out on its second offensive possession, punter Jack Fox did not deliver one of his better punts, only netting 40 yards.

The Texans were able to gash Aaron Glenn’s defense on their second offensive possession. Without Za’Darius Smith, Stroud was able to evade pressure, and find Mixon for a 36-yard gain.

An offensive holding penalty derailed the Texans’ drive, as they took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.

Jameson Williams sparks offense

Returning from a two-game suspension, the speedy wideout helped to spark Detroit’s offense.

Early in the game, Houston’s defense was swarming to the football and making life difficulty for Goff and Co. An early deep try in the first quarter to Williams fell incomplete.

However, Williams was able to make his presence felt on the following series with a pair of long third-down connections with Goff. The first came on a bobble that he held onto for 23 yards on third-and-16, with the second being a 13-yard gain on third-and-6.

The veteran quarterback was able to lead Detroit on a 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 20-yard touchdown toss to tight end Sam LaPorta.

Run game struggles in first half

The Lions’ offense struggled for much of the first half to find a rhythm. For a team that prides itself on being able to run the ball effectively, their normally potent run game was nowhere to be found.

Jahmyr Gibbs managed just 15 yards on six carries, while David Montgomery had four carries for six yards. As a result, the Lions were made one-dimensional. With the Texans getting pressure against the Lions’ offensive line, many of Goff’s passes were hurried or off-target.

The Lions were without Taylor Decker, and his absence was felt as the likes of Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry were able to put heat on Goff throughout the game.

While the Lions’ defense managed to hold the Texans to field goals on three consecutive possessions, the offense failed to generate momentum and went three-and-out on back-to-back drives. The defense cracked on Houston’s final drive of the half as Stroud hit John Metchie for a touchdown to put Houston up 23-7 going into the break.

Jake Bates makes 52-yarder at buzzer, Lions overcome Jared Goff’s 5 INTs to rally past Texans 26-23

Chance for momentum thwarted by another Goff interception

Goff had his most turnovers of the 2024 season against DeMeco Ryan's defense.

In a moment that will be remembered fondly, since most interviews conducted by coaches at halftime and at the start of the third-quarter are filled with cliches, Campbell's message of needing turnovers was timed perfectly, as cornerback Carlton Davis opened the third quarter intercepting Stroud when the interviewed aired.

Unfortunately, Detroit's offense could not capitalize, as Goff threw his fourth interception of the ballgame and the second to cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

After a touchdown on their following possession, Goff was picked off for the fifth time on a deep pass intended for Jameson Williams.

The veteran cornerback was able to intercept Stroud again in the third quarter, which were the first two interceptions by Lions cornerbacks this season.

Photo gallery from the Lions’ come-from-behind, 26-23 win over Houston on Sunday Night Football

LaPorta sets up score

Tight end Sam LaPorta has had a quiet first half of the season, but found his groove against the Texans.

He scored the team's first touchdown on a well-schemed play-action pass, then helped set up the team's third-quarter touchdown with a 37-yard catch. His score came at a big point in the game, as he cut the Texans' lead to 10-7.

However, LaPorta suffered a shoulder injury on the third-quarter catch, and was ruled questionable to return.

Detroit's offense was able to scratch and claw its way back to tie the game at 23 in the fourth quarter. Jake Bates was able to connect on a 58-yard field goal to tie the game, giving Detroit's defense a chance to force a stop.

Stroud was unable to lead his team on a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, as kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal.

Detroit capitalized on the field position, and moved the football in position to set up Bates for the 52-yard, game-winning kick.

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

The debut of new Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith is likely on hold.

After joining his new squad Friday, the team has reportedly decided not to play the veteran against the Houston Texans.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “Lions new pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, who was acquired in a trade on Tuesday, is not expected to play for Detroit tonight, I’m told. Not quite ready.”

The 32-year-old was set to be on his bye week, but ended up in Motown at the trade deadline.

This week, Smith took a couple of days to visit property in Florida to assess damage from the hurricane and to get things in order. He expressed gratitude to reporters that the organization allowed him some time off.

During his initial media session with reporters, Smith did express a desire to suit up on Sunday Night Football.

Next week, Detroit plays against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.

 

Wearing No. 99 in Detroit

In order to wear No. 99 in Detroit, Smith had to cough up some money to Brodric Martin.

“They was like, ‘Man, you got three options.’ You can get any number in the 70s, any numbers in the 80s, and I think it was 60s,” said Smith. “And I was like, ‘No way.’ I was like, ‘Who have No. 99?’ And they told me who it was.

“And, we looked his number up and called him real quick,. Thankful to him, a guy from Alabama, man – Tuscaloosa — had a chance to talk to him for a little while, and I had to pay up a little bit. But, all is well. I got No. 99 now.”

While Smith did not give up the exact value, he indicated it was a number that ended with three zeroes.

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