Why the Lions force-fed Josh Reynolds instead of taking knees to close out Vikings game

Detroit — After a Chauncey Gardner-Johnson interception with a little more than two minutes to go in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions could have easily taken a series of knees to successfully run out the clock on their victory. Instead, they threw the ball three straight times to wide receiver Josh Reynolds

Why? Simple. The team wanted to do right by one of its hardest-working players by helping him earn one, potentially two contractive incentives. Teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown said he was leading the lobby on the sideline, pushing position coach Antwaan Randle-El to keep throwing the ball in the waning seconds.

"That player does all the dirty work he does for us, all the stuff in the run game, all the blocking, all the unselfish play, then we're going to do whatever it takes to get him something," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "That's the mindset. That's all."

Reynolds came into the contest needing 36 yards and one touchdown to earn separate $250,000 bonuses. With 17 yards on those final three plays, he earned the first, but wasn't able to secure the touchdown after drawing a pass interference call in the end zone during the second half.

"I think that was just a classy move by us, an organization, everybody," offensive tackle Taylor Decker said. "I know we were trying to get him a touchdown. We hit the yards. It's cool for him because he's been a guy that's quietly been really good for us and doesn't get as much recognition as he deserves for the level of play he's sustained."

Reynolds, who finished with 608 yards on the year, just shy of his career-high, offered a sheepish grin when asked about the team making an effort for him to earn his incentives.

"I don’t know what you want me to say," Reynolds said. "Everybody’s got each other’s back and that’s what I love about this team."

Reynolds, a 2021 waiver claim who re-signed with the Lions after that season, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

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