The Detroit Lions took another hit to their receiver depth Saturday, and the impact could stretch beyond just one preseason game.
Veteran wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. exited Detroit’s 17-13 preseason win over the Washington Commanders with what looked like a leg injury, leaving the field after a hard landing on a play that came immediately after his second catch of the night. Wilson had opened the drive with back-to-back receptions before the injury stopped his momentum.
By report, Wilson and running back Raheem Blackshear have both been placed on injured reserve.
Dan Campbell didn’t try to downplay the concern after the game.
"I don't know for sure. I'm worried, I'm worried on that one.
I love Wilson, man," Campbell said. "He's just a smart, crafty football player.
Gets it, can play all the spots at receiver, special teams. We don't know.
We're getting that knee looked at. We don't know, but I'll leave it at that."
Wilson’s preseason ended with three catches for 44 yards, and he had spent training camp building a strong case for a roster spot thanks to his veteran value in the receiver room. Before the injury, he was viewed as one of the leading candidates for the fifth wide receiver job behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa and Greg Dortch.
The setback matters even more because Detroit has already lost another receiver for the year. Fifth-round pick Kendrick Law suffered a torn ACL during offseason workouts.
Wilson brings a long NFL resume to the table. The 2018 sixth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys has more than 100 career catches and over 1,200 receiving yards across seven seasons. Detroit is the fourth team he has been with, after stops with Dallas, Miami and New Orleans.
His college production was just as notable. Wilson played at Boise State, where he put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and closed his final year with 1,511 receiving yards. Before that, he started his college career at Coffeyville Community College.
With Wilson sidelined, the Lions’ competition for that receiver spot includes Tay Martin, Tom Kennedy and Lucky Jackson, along with Tarik Black and Lucky Jackson.
Detroit also made a couple of roster moves official Saturday. Running back Roydell Williams was signed, and defensive back Jason Taylor was added on a contract.
Taylor, 26, played in three games during his freshman season at Oklahoma State. He later broke out as a redshirt senior with 99 tackles and six interceptions, earning first team All-Big 12 honors. After the Los Angeles Rams took him in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he also spent time with the Cardinals, Chiefs and Orlando Storm.
In his career, Taylor has appeared in eight games, all in 2023, and has five solo tackles.
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