The Detroit Lions are still waiting for Jahmyr Gibbs to return to practice, but the star running back's absence doesn't appear to be cause for alarm. As contract negotiations continue, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed there's another factor keeping Gibbs on the sidelines.

The ongoing discussion sparked major concerns around Gibbs after the Lions attended their training camp day at Meijer Performance. Meanwhile, Rapoport delivered both encouraging and concerning news.

"We've got good news and bad news. The good news is that Jahmyr Gibbs is here on the field behind me, the bad news is he's not doing anything except standing there in a hoodie and watching practice," Rapoport said Sunday, August 2. "He is dealing with, I would say, a minor injury as he waits for his contract to be done."

Rapoport reported the Lions are keeping Gibbs off the practice field as contract talks continue. Through three NFL seasons, Gibbs has totaled 3,580 rushing yards, 1,449 receiving yards and 49 touchdowns, over the past three seasons.

With this, he established himself as one of the league's most productive dual-threat running backs. The contract itself is expected to reset the running back market.

"It's not as simple as, 'Why haven't the Lions paid him?'" Rapoport added. "Jahmyr Gibbs no doubt is next, but it doesn't exist in a vacuum. When he gets done, he's going to be one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, over $20 million. Perhaps the highest-paid running back in the NFL."

With negotiations still ongoing, Detroit's focus now shifts toward getting Gibbs back on the field before preparations for the regular season intensify.

Jahmyr Gibbs says "only time will tell" about Lions return

Gibbs' hold-in stretched into a fifth straight practice on Monday, though the running back remained with the team and spent much of the session on the sideline alongside teammates Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Jared Goff.

While Rapoport dropped the update, Gibbs himself broke the silence on the situation.

"Only time will tell," Gibbs said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press when he was asked about his return.

The running back also downplayed the suggestion that his return depends entirely on a new contract, saying, "It's not about that," before declining to expand further.

Head coach Dan Campbell previously revealed Gibbs had been dealing with a minor back issue after completing a conditioning test.

Campbell added that seeing Gibbs around the team remains important while contract discussions continue, as reported by Eric Woodyard of the NFL.

"I think it's good to see," Campbell said. "He's still part of us and the guys, our players love him, we love him. And he's a part of what we do."

Gibbs has also drawn support from teammates. Wide receiver Jameson Williams said Gibbs deserves to become the NFL's highest-paid running back because of the impact he makes on the field, not just the numbers he puts up.

Contract talks between the Lions and Gibbs are ongoing. League-wide expectation remains that the sides will reach a long-term extension before the regular season.

What are your thoughts on the Jahmyr Gibbs situation? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar