Lions Part Ways with Marvin Jones as Wide Receiver Steps Away for Family Reasons

Less than seven months after making his second appearance on the Lions roster, wide receiver Marvin Jones said on Tuesday that he will be taking a break from football to deal with personal issues. Soon later, Detroit also declared his release.

Jones, 33, was sidelined for unspecified personal reasons and did not travel with the Lions to their Week 7 game against the Ravens on Sunday. He gave an explanation of his decision to leave the squad in a social media post on Tuesday.

"I just want to say that I have so much love and respect for the Ford family, the city of Detroit, my teammates and coaches," he stated in the letter. "In a nutshell, I'm leaving the team to attend to personal family problems. I cannot take care of my family from a distance and still be the player/person that I need to be for this team, even if this was not an easy decision to make. Over the years, this organisation has been incredible in providing me and my family love and support, and this time is no exception.

"To my brothers and coaches," Jones went on, "I'll be cheering you on at every turn! This year is it! Get it now!"

Jones's absence wasn't connected to anything "serious," according to Lions coach Dan Campbell, who declined to comment further when asked about Jones's future with the team on Monday.

Jones was originally selected by the Bengals in the fifth round in the 2012 NFL Draught. He played four seasons in Cincinnati before signing a $40 million contract with the Lions in the 2016 NFL Draught. In Detroit, he had career highs, including a breakthrough in 2017 when he caught 61 receptions for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns. He stayed in the city until 2020. Following a two-year stay with the Jaguars, Jones signed a $3 million, one-year contract in April to return to the Lions. However, he only caught five passes for 35 yards on ten targets in Detroit's opening 5-1 win.