The Detroit Lions were dealt a massive scare when wideout/returner Kalif Raymond exited Sunday's 37-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with a neck injury. The incident happened on an 11-yard punt return in the first half (h/t @JimmyLiaoMD), forcing Raymond to exit the game without a return, simultaneously leaving Lions fans concerned about his outlook.
Currently in his fifth season in the Motor City, Raymond is a key contributor to the Lions due to his capabilities as a pass-catcher and special teamer. His absence will be felt, regardless of how much time he will miss, but that doesn't change the fact that someone must step up in his place.
With that in mind, the door is officially open for rookie WR Dominic Lovett to prove his worth.
Rookie Lions WR Dominic Lovett Has Most to Gain from Kalif Raymond's Injury
First-year pro Isaac TeSlaa garnered plenty of attention in Detroit during the summer, but he wasn't the only rookie WR the Lions added in April. General manager Brad Holmes also used a seventh-round pick on Dominic Lovett, who had just amassed 197 catches for 2,243 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons spent with the Missouri Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs.
But with TeSlaa making noise and the Lions rostering plenty of veteran names, Lovett fell under the radar once the regular season began. That trend continued once the games started; however, the 22-year-old playmaker soon found himself as Detroit's return man after Raymond's exit on Sunday afternoon. Although he didn't end up recording any returns, the stage is set for Lovett to see more playing time moving forward.
Raymond had seen a mix of offensive and special teams snaps before his injury, and it's possible that Lovett could see a similar workload. The East St. Louis, Ill. native tallied at least 600 yards and three TDs in each of his last three collegiate seasons, and even though he was rarely used as a return during that stretch, his 4.40-second 40-yard dash time proves he has to speed to generate opportunities.
Late-round picks tend to face uphill battles towards playing time, meaning Lovett can't let this opportunity slip through his hands. He might not be guaranteed a key role once Raymond returns, but that doesn't mean he can't make the coaching staff's decision tougher by capitalizing on every chance he gets in the foreseeable future.
Lions fans will be paying close attention to see if Lovett has what it takes to be the NFL's next hidden gem as he potentially fills in for Raymond until the latter is cleared to play.