Lions Make Key Offensive Line Adjustment After Injury to Jamarco Jones 🚨
The Detroit Lions have called in some big help after losing a key reserve lineman.
The team announced that tackle Jamarco Jones was headed to injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in practice prior to the season opener. Jones had beaten out Dan Skipper for the No. 3 tackle spot, but was lost before the season started and will not return this year.
The Lions have already found a replacement, signing a 6-foot-7 lineman on Tuesday.
Lions Forced to Make Changes on Offensive Line
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that Jones would not be able to return this season, dealing a serious blow to the team’s depth. The Lions replaced him by signing former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Devin Cochran, who had been released before the start of the season.
Bengals reporter John Sheeran told AtoZ Sports that Cochran showed promise in nine appearances last season, including one start. While he will not compete for a starting role on what is considered one of the league’s best offensive lines in Detroit, Cochran will provide some trusted depth, Sheeran added.
“He’s not going to be a reliable starter, but as an emergency option off the bench, you could find worse as a midseason addition,” he said.
Reporter Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit predicted that the “massive” Cochran would be a servicable option if they neded to call on a backup.
“[Cochran] was finally called up from the practice squad [last season] and made nine game appearances for the Bengals, including one start at left tackle,” Reisman wrote. “Additionally, he logged 83 snaps at right tackle as a mid-game fill-in over three games. Over 100 pass blocking snaps, PFF charged him with eight pressures allowed, one sack, and a 50.8 pass blocking grade. Per PFF, he was slightly more successful over 52 run blocking snaps, earning a 57.5 grade.”
The Lions also have Skipper on the practice squad, with the possibility of three elevations this year if needed.
Lions Struggled on Offense in Week 1 Loss
After going 15-2 and earning the top overall seed in the NFC last season, the Lions got off to a rough start in 2025 with a resounding loss to rival Green Bay Packers. The Lions managed just six points in five red-zone drives in the game before finally getting a garbage-time touchdown from Jared Goff to rookie Isaac TeSlaa.
Campbell said new offensive cooridinator John Morton did a good job with the game design, but said the team needed to execute better in the running game in order to win.
“I thought he did good. There are a couple things that he wants back, certainly,” Campbell said of Morton. “But we got to be able to master bread and butter before you get to all the other stuff. The other stuff won’t matter if we can’t find a way to run the football for more than 2.1 per carry. That’s where everything starts for us.
“If we can’t, you’re out of play-action, you’re out of everything. Guys pin their ears back, and it makes it harder on some of those guys up front. That’s where it all begins really.”
J.J. McCarthy Makes Bold Statement Ahead of Monday Night Game: “Minnesota is Home, It’s Just a Business Trip”
J.J. McCarthy has left fans and analysts stunned with his candid take ahead of Monday night’s highly anticipated game, as he downplayed the emotional significance of playing just 30 minutes from home. When asked by @DaneMizutani about how much he’d enjoy the moment, McCarthy responded with a sharp, business-like attitude that has everyone talking.
“Hmmm... I feel like home is in Minnesota. It’s just a business trip. Go down there. Execute some football plays. And see what happens.”
McCarthy’s no-nonsense response has sparked a firestorm of debate, with fans and analysts divided over whether his laser-focus shows incredible professionalism or a lack of emotional connection to the game. Some are impressed by his mature mindset, while others believe his response underestimates the significance of playing close to home in what could be a defining moment in his career.
“It’s clear J.J. isn’t getting caught up in the fanfare,” one analyst commented. “He’s treating this like any other game, but is that a good thing or a sign of him not embracing the big moments?”
While McCarthy’s approach seems straightforward, many are wondering if this business-first mentality will give him the edge to stay calm under pressure—or if it might cost him the emotional drive needed to deliver in a high-stakes matchup.
As Monday night approaches, J.J. McCarthy’s mindset will be under the microscope, and fans are eager to see if his level-headed approach will lead to execution and success, or if the emotional connection to home will fuel a bigger performance.
