Team news: Detroit Lions

Lions Head Coach Matt Patricia told reporters on Wednesday that Kenny Golladay will return to practice today.

Golladay has missed the first two weeks dealing with a sore hamstring, but it appears he is ready to return and provide Detroit with a much-needed deep threat in the passing game. Golladay's return likely deals a hit to Marvin Jones's volume and relegates Quintez Cephus to a backup role. Hamstring injuries are always at risk for aggravation, so Golladay will carry risk as he works his way back, but his presence should be a big boost Matthew Stafford and the Detroit offense.

The good news is, leading receiver Kenny Golladay‘s on the verge of making his debut.

“Yeah, I mean I expect us to keep pushing forward and arrow up on that,” HC Matt Patricia said, via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “So we’ll see what it looks like, obviously, but I think we’re close. And we’ll get him out and get him in some of those situations.

Golladay, who led the league with 11 touchdown receptions last season, is also entering the final year of his contract but has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the first two weeks.

Detroit Lions star wide receiver, Kenny Golladay, who missed a second straight game because of a hamstring injury, is expected to return for next weekend's contest against the Arizona Cardinals, a league source tells ESPN.

ESPN said Golladay was close to playing this past Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, but the Lions didn't want to risk further aggravating the injury. But because of how close Golladay was to playing Sunday, there's a strong sense of optimism he will be back for Week 3, according to the source and the story.

Lions WR Kenny Golladay is officially listed as out for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Tim Twentyman of the Detroit Lions.

It was inevitable, but still disappointing to see Golladay listed as out. The Lions will need better performances from Marvin Jones Jr. and Quintez Cephus to keep up with the Packers Sunday.

Lions WR Kenny Golladay was not spotted at practice Friday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Golladay is set to miss his second consecutive game Sunday against the Packers. Quintez Cephus, Marvin Jones Jr., and Danny Amendola are set to start at wide receiver in three-wide sets.

Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press wrote Friday about the visible chemistry between Lions QB Matthew Stafford and TE T.J. Hockenson after nearly a year away from their last game action with each other. "Sure, they had gotten some practice during training camp and offseason workouts that Stafford organized," wrote Monarrez. "But no one knew how good their chemistry would be in the season opener, given the major irregularities of the offseason."

“Yeah it was good,” Stafford said Wednesday of his chemistry with Hockenson. “Coach did a nice job drawing up some play to get him some chances and he capitalized on them. His touchdown, he’s probably the most-covered guy on the field. I jammed it in there to him, but it was a nice catch. I was happy for him.”

Stafford and Hockenson opened 2019 with a bang before Hockenson disappeared from the fantasy landscape and Stafford was lost for the season. 2020 started off well and should continue, especially if WR Kenny Golladay continues to miss time. Hockenson will see plenty of extra coverage this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, but is firmly in the TE1 conversation.

Lions rookie WR Quintez Cephus is likely headed for a second straight start when the Detroit Lions head to Green Bay to face the Packers, according to Kyle Meinke of mLive.com. Kenny Golladay (hamstring) has not returned to practice this week, opening the opportunity for Cephus.

"He did a great job," said Lions QB Matthew Stafford. "He’s a guy that came in Day 1 and was asked to do a lot, and he never skipped a beat."

"(He) Kind of hopped in there when it was his turn to get in there," Stafford continued. "Went out there and executed plays, so I know as a player out there, I have a lot of confidence in him, I know our coaching staff does as well. He’s just a guy who continues to work hard and learn and try to prove himself.”

Cephus has earned the trust of Stafford and the coaching staff, and he was rewarded with 10 targets this past Sunday. It is safe to say that he won't see 10 more against the Packers this Sunday, but the Lions will get the ball to whomever gets the offense going without Golladay. Cephus is on the WR4 radar as long as Golladay is out.