Lions Reportedly Eye Position Switch for Jahmyr Gibbs as Injuries Mount and Playoff Push Tightens
The Detroit Lions are staring down a critical stretch of the season, and with injuries piling up and momentum slipping, they may be turning to one of their most dynamic weapons in a new role to keep the playoff dream alive.
According to reports, the Lions are seriously considering lining up running back Jahmyr Gibbs at wide receiver in Thursday night’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. With the offense taking hit after hit, this potential shift isn’t just creative-it might be necessary.
Let’s set the scene. The Lions fell to 7-5 after a tough Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers.
That game didn’t just sting in the standings-it also came with a price. Star receiver Amon-Ra St.
Brown exited with an ankle injury, and his status for Thursday remains uncertain. That’s a huge blow for an offense that’s already without tight end Sam LaPorta, who’s done for the year after undergoing back surgery.
LaPorta was on track for a career year and had become a key piece in the passing game.
With two of Jared Goff’s top targets sidelined, the Lions are exploring ways to get the ball into the hands of their remaining playmakers-namely Gibbs and wideout Jameson Williams. And that’s where the idea of moving Gibbs out wide comes in.
Lions insider Dave Birkett, speaking on 105.3 The FAN in Dallas, hinted that we could see Gibbs split out as a receiver against the Cowboys. “That’s a very distinct possibility,” Birkett said.
“He had a game earlier this year where he had 10-11 catches… They’ve certainly used him that way. They have two good playmakers and everyone else is just a guy.
And that’s Jahmyr and Jameson Williams. And they need to get the ball in those guys’ hands as much as possible.”
It’s not just talk-Gibbs has shown he can be a legitimate threat in the passing game. Through 12 games, he’s already piled up 51 receptions for 397 yards and three touchdowns.
That’s just two catches shy of a new career high. Add in 1,019 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, and you’re looking at one of the most productive-and versatile-offensive players in the league this season.
And versatility might be the Lions’ best weapon right now. With Goff struggling to replicate last year’s form and Williams still trying to find his rhythm, Detroit’s offense has lacked the consistency it showed earlier in the year.
The offensive line has had its issues, and the pass defense hasn’t helped matters either. If not for Aidan Hutchinson’s relentless motor and playmaking on the other side of the ball, this team might be in an even deeper hole.
But despite all that, the Lions still have a path forward. A win over Dallas would bump them to 8-5 and keep them firmly in the NFC playoff picture, just a game behind the 9-4 49ers for the final wild card spot. And with the 9-3 Bears facing off against the 8-3-1 Packers this week, Detroit is guaranteed to gain ground on one of those division rivals.
So, yes, the idea of moving Gibbs to wide receiver might sound drastic-but desperate times call for creative solutions. And if there’s a player on this roster who can handle the shift, it’s Gibbs. He’s already proven he can be electric with the ball in his hands-now the Lions just need to find new ways to get it there.
With the season hanging in the balance and injuries threatening to derail what once looked like a promising campaign, the Lions are betting on their young star to do even more. And if Gibbs can rise to the occasion, Detroit’s playoff hopes might not be as far-fetched as they seemed just a week ago.