Lions leaving door open to bring back WR Josh Reynolds

Orlando, Fla. — The Detroit Lions haven't closed the door on bringing back free-agent wide receiver Josh Reynolds, coach Dan Campbell confirmed Tuesday morning at the league meetings.

"Look, we’re still in contact with J-Rey," Campbell said. "I don’t think it’s a secret what we think about him, as far as the type of player he is; the unselfishness, the dirty work, the versatility."

General manager Brad Holmes confirmed the ongoing dialogue between the two sides later in the morning, noting Reynolds was the only item on the team's original, offseason checklist they hadn't managed to get accomplished, to this point.

The early market for Reynolds, a seven-year veteran, has been cold. He reportedly had his first visit with another team, the Baltimore Ravens, last week, but it didn't result in a deal.

Reynolds began his career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played four seasons with current Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions were able to add him off waivers in the middle of the 2021 campaign and he's been a key contributor to the team's offense during the past three seasons. He averaged 39 receptions for 544 yards and four touchdowns over the past two years.

Whether Reynolds remains in Detroit or not, the team was able to re-sign Donovan Peoples-Jones, a trade deadline acquisition last year. Viewed as a versatile insurance policy for a team bound for the postseason, he played sparingly down the stretch, logging just 72 offensive snaps and catching five passes in eight games.

Without Reynolds, there's a path to an increased role for Peoples-Jones, the former Cass Tech and University of Michigan standout who hauled in 61 passes for the Cleveland Browns in 2022.

"He’s been in our offense, call it half of the season, or a little bit more," Campbell said. "He’ll have a better understanding of what we’re doing when we go into camp. So, I think what it does, it just gives us somebody that we know can play the position. He’s a bigger-body guy, too, so he’s a little different than anybody we’ve got. That’s really what he gives us."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers