The Detroit Lions practiced in the evening at Allen Park on Monday, a change of pace from previous practices. Jahmy Gibbs, the running back, and rookie cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw were the three players that left practice early. While Rakestraw’s injury was to his ankle, Gibbs’s damage to his leg was the instant news. Arnold is dealing with an upper body ailment.

Subsequently, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Gibbs sustained a hamstring injury. It’s unclear how serious the injury is or which leg it is on.

Gibb’s experience with hamstring problems is somewhat extensive. Last season, he had a hamstring injury late in the practice week prior to Week 5, which caused him to miss two games. Due to an unidentified soft tissue injury, he lost time during OTAs and was gradually brought back into the fold for training camp.

After rushing for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season, along with 52 receptions for 316 yards and a touchdown through the air, Gibbs is returning off a Pro Bowl campaign. He had a rushing touchdown in each of the three playoff games played by the Lions.

How long will the Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs be sidelined due to injury?
For now, it’s impossible to estimate how much time Gibbs would miss. Since Tuesday is a team off, according to John Maakaron of SI.com, any more official announcements from the Lions are probably going to wait until Wednesday. Gibbs is reportedly being evaluated for a leg injury, which is a naturally ambiguous but potentially worrying development, according to the team’s official update on Monday evening.

It’s reasonable to assume that Gibbs won’t practice any more this week, and he probably wasn’t planning to participate in the second preseason game against the Chiefs on Saturday anyhow. The immediate medical evaluators who have provided an assessment seem to agree on a few points surrounding the injury.

1. Is the hamstring strain Grade 1 (less severe)? Or is it worse?
2. Could this be a recurrence of the ailment that prevented him from participating in OTAs and delayed his readiness for camp?

Though some claim otherwise, we are not positive that Gibbs’ absence from OTAs was due to a hamstring ailment.

Jahmyr Gibbs update —

Hamstring strain suffered today.
He had suffered a hamstring strain in May/June that had continued to limit him and as of 8/4, “was not full go yet”.

This is either a reinjury or opposite side.

4 weeks to Wk1.
Reinjury could put Wk1 status in jeopardy. https://t.co/2zeLsQc8IW

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 13, 2024

Gibbs’ availability for Week 1 may be called into doubt very soon. Recovering from hamstring injuries can be a difficult process, and setbacks are common. However, until further details are available, it’s safe to assume that he won’t miss any important games or a significant amount of time.

Jahmyr Gibbs is seen as having a special ability to improve the Lions’ offensive.

The Detroit Lions’ offensive doesn’t have many clear-cut ways to improve after finishing as one of the top five in terms of both scoring and yardage offenses the previous two seasons. Additionally, one player usually receives the most of the attention when we discuss routes to a higher level in specific margins.

With 11 total touchdowns and over 1,200 yards from scrimmage, Jahmyr Gibbs had an excellent first campaign. This year, he should see a greater workload, and as a pass catcher, he has plenty of room to grow.

It’s well known that Gibbs is attempting to increase his passing game capabilities. Given that Gibbs and other Lions starters are unlikely to see much, if any, action in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the New York Giants, that would have certainly carried over into this week’s joint sessions versus the team.

Jahmyr Gibbs is seen as a major offensive difference maker for the Lions.
Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr was present at Tuesday’s combined practice. He, along with Yahoo! Sports’ Jori Epstein, described Gibbs as a promising three-down back when she visited the Lions’ camp last week.

Orr described such a vivid scene.

It was amazing to watch Gibbs leak out of the backfield to the left and watch the whole Giants defense turn toward the running back. The Lions and Gibbs have made no secret about how important he is to the passing game this year. Recall that Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta are also present on the field. Based on NFLGSIS statistics from the previous season, Gibbs had one of the highest Net Yards over Average ratings on the Lions offense.With 103 of his 182 running attempts coming on first down last year, Gibson spent most of his time on first down. On third down, Gibbs only had 11 catches in 23 carries. This is a fancy way of expressing that he has an extremely high statistical ceiling.”

An underappreciated part of Gibbs’ development into a three-down back and realization of his full potential will be his ability to pass protect. Keeping that in mind, Orr concluded his remarks against Gibbs.

“With increased experience in pass protection, Gibbs can be trusted in a more versatile three-down role, adding a unique and invaluable element to the team.”

Gibbs may have the biggest ceiling of any skill position player on the Lions, and the easiest route to reach it, among a talented collection of players.