Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is set to begin his second NFL season on schedule when the Detroit Lions face the Los Angeles Rams in their 2024 opener on Sunday night. Gibbs had been sidelined by a hamstring injury during training camp on August 12 but returned to practice last week.
On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell mentioned that the only player with injury concerns ahead of the season opener is defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu.
“I feel good,” Gibbs shared on Tuesday. “When I first got back, I had to work on getting back into football shape. The first day was rough, I won’t lie, but after that, everything went well.”
Gibbs made the Pro Bowl as a rookie after rushing for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns on 182 carries and adding 52 receptions for 316 yards and one touchdown in 15 regular-season games.
Following his Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team selection, Gibbs became just the eighth rookie in NFL history to achieve at least 144 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the postseason. He’s also the only one in that group to record 11 or more receptions.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Gibbs is expecting “quicker, more instinctive play without overthinking.”
“I’m confident in the offense going into Year 2,” he said. “Being more familiar with the system and having more confidence really helps with performance, and I feel good about it.”
In 2023, Gibbs shared backfield responsibilities with David Montgomery, who rushed for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns on 219 carries, along with 16 receptions for 117 yards in 14 regular-season games. Both players will be back for the 2024 season.
“We rely heavily on the run game, so it really revolves around us and our consistency,” Gibbs explained. “It’s about being consistent week after week, following our assignments, and executing well. Everything else will fall into place.”
The Lions traded up to draft Gibbs at No. 12 last year, and the move helped propel them to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and their first NFC Championship Game since 1991. Expectations for the 2024 season are now higher than they’ve been in years.
“We’re not overhyping it,” Gibbs noted. “We’re just taking it one game at a time. We know what we’re capable of, and we’re focused on doing our job.”
Detroit opened last year’s playoffs with a thrilling 24-23 victory over the Rams on January 14. The two teams will meet again at 7:20 p.m. CDT this Sunday at Ford Field, with NBC broadcasting the game.
“Last year’s game was wild,” Gibbs recalled. “I’m sure this one will be the same, if not more exciting. I can’t wait.”
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