Kalif

Raymond

Raymond got in a pair of limited practices after a DNP on Wednesday. Isaac TeSlaa could have been an interesting FLEX fit if Raymond was sidelined — he stood to gain more snaps — so Raymond’s ultimate status matters a lot here. It would be irresponsible for us to recommend most standard fantasy leagues to wait for Raymond’s status on a potential TeSlaa FLEX play — there are probably other reasonable plays to make this week.

St. Brown was joined by Lions No. 3 WR Kalif Raymond (neck), who practiced for the first time this week in a limited capacity. Hope for a game featuring Jameson Williams’ speed briefly flickered to life when both St. Brown and Raymond appeared on the Wednesday injury report as non-participants, but both players’ return likely pushes Williams back into his field-stretching role. While Williams should still be in fantasy lineups in what should be a high-scoring game against the Chiefs, St. Brown will undoubtedly dominate targets.

Raymond missed nearly two months late in the year after suffering a foot injury in Week 12. He returned for the Divisional Round and posted a better receiving line than either Jameson Williams or Tim Patrick. The speedy receiver was primarily deployed on special teams this year but did see a steady dose of routes as the team’s third or fourth receiver. Despite missing five games, he still led the league in punt return yards and was one of just a handful of players to house-call a punt. Raymond isn’t a name fantasy managers need to know for next year, but he does give the Lions’ special teams unit a boost on a weekly basis.

The special teams ace landed on injured reserve in November after suffering a foot injury. He returned to practice last week but was held out of Monday’s game. A full practice suggests he will make his return versus the Vikings this week. Though there isn’t much fantasy value to be had with Raymond, he is an elite punt returner who will give the Lions’ special teams some extra juice if active.

Raymond saw his 21-day practice window opened earlier in the week but will ultimately be held out for the fifth consecutive game as he tends to a foot injury. He appears to be nearing a return in time for the postseason run.

According to Lions beat writer Dave Birkett, head coach Dan Campbell “indicated Raymond likely won’t be ready to play vs. the 49ers.” The speedy return man hasn’t played since suffering a foot injury in Week 12 but should be poised for a return in the postseason, if not before. Raymond’s return is not notable for fantasy as long as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are both healthy.

Dan Campbell said the Lions were waiting for a second opinion on Raymond and that they’re not feeling good about him being up this week. Tim Patrick saw much more work on Sunday and would likely be Raymond’s main replacement on offense for those of you in deeper leagues.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Raymond suffered a foot injury in Sunday’s win over the Colts, and head coach Dan Campbell said after the game that his injury was “a little more serious” than what some other players on the team were dealing with. Monday’s report was only an estimation, but it’s probably safe to assume Raymond is unlikely to play on Thursday against the Bears.

Raymond exited Sunday’s game against the Colts and did not return to the field. When discussing player injuries after the game, head coach Dan Campbell made light of several players’ injuries while saying Raymond’s was “a little more serious.” It sounds like Raymond is at risk of missing some time and is probably a long shot to play in Week 13 against the Bears on a short week. Raymond was held without a catch in Sunday’s win.

Raymond also took an end around for a 12-yard loss in this one. The veteran receiver has seen just three targets in his last two games and has a 3-36-1 line to show for it. What little fantasy upside Raymond had will fade back into the ether as Jameson Williams is set to return from his two-game suspension on Monday.