Detroit Lions Jahmyr Gibbs is Ready for Lead Role

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is thankful he had the extra week to rest and get healthy, as he has been nursing a hamstring injury. “I’m just excited to get back out there,” Gibbs told reporters via the team’s social media channel. “I missed the last two weeks, and I’ve been missing it. It felt weird missing those two games. So, I’m just happy to be back and go out there with my teammates.”

While away, Detroit’s first-round draft pick would still pick the brains of the team’s offensive leaders. “I mean, I still would be in meetings and stuff going over everything. And then practice—when practice started, I would run out there,” Gibbs explained. “After I get done running, I’m over there with the offense, probably talking with Saint or talking to Craig, D-Mo, and all them.”

Dan Campbell indicated prior to practice Friday that the team would like to lean on the rookie back this week, as David Montgomery has been ruled out.

Being a reliable and trusted member of the roster is something Gibbs takes pride in. “This week shows a lot; it shows that they trust me,” Gibbs said. “So, I take pride in that, to be trusted throughout the coaching staff and my teammates. So, thankful for them.”

The Buccaneers worked to take away Detroit’s rushing attack in Week 6, but the offense was still able to move the football as Jared Goff methodically managed the game, leading long drives when the team needed to milk the clock in the second half. “I think teams thought you could stop the run and make us one-dimensional, like they would have a really big advantage,” Gibbs stated. “But I think this past game showed that you’re going to have to be more balanced than you thought. So, I think we did a great job of displaying that.”

The 21-year-old running back would have no issue rushing the football 18–20 times this week, as he indicated he has always been a No. 1 back. “I’ve been that all my life, so it’s really nothing that I’m not used to. So, I think I’d be fine.”