Lions, Marvin Jones Jr. mutually part so veteran WR can tend to family

Detroit Lions veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. announced via his Instagram that he is indefinitely stepping away from football to take care of a personal matter. The Lions released Jones as part of an agreement between Jones and the team.

“I just want to say that I have so much love and respect for the Ford Family, the city of Detroit, my teammates and coaches,” Jones Jr. wrote. “To be brief, I am stepping away from the team to take care of personal family matters. Although this was no easy decision, I cannot be the person/player that I need to be for this team as well as tend to my family from afar. This organization has been amazing showing love and support for myself and my family over the years and this time is no different. For that I am appreciative. To my brothers and coaches, I will be rooting for you every step of the way! This is the year! Go get it!!!”

Jones did not travel with the team for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, and as of Monday, coach Dan Campbell did not have any specifics on Jones’ absence other than to reiterate that it was a personal matter.

“All I can tell you (is) it’s a personal issue. Nothing serious like that, is something going – but it’s just, that’s where it is right now,” Campbell said.

Jones signed a one-year deal with the Lions this offseason. In five game appearances, Jones caught five passes for 35 yards.

Additionally, the Lions announced that running back Mohamed Ibrahim has been placed on the practice squad injured reserve, and they have signed Jermar Jefferson to take his place on the practice squad. Jefferson was the team’s seventh-round pick in 2021, but after suffering a preseason injury, he was released with an injury settlement prior to roster cuts.