Jahmyr Gibbs has been marked absent.
The Detroit Lions running back didn’t participate in the team’s first training camp practice on July 29. While there was no reason provided for his absence, it is notable that Dan Campbell didn’t list Gibbs during his injury rundown ahead of the session.
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Gibbs is seeking a new contract.
“You guys know how we feel about Gibbs, and all of our guys,” Campbell said. “So we’ll take this as it comes. This will kind of continue. … Both sides (are) working through something, and we’ll take it as it comes.”
Detroit picked up the running back’s fifth-year option in April, extending his contract through the 2027 season. Thanks to multiple Pro Bowl appearances, Gibbs will make $14.293 million on the option, which is a sizable boost over the $5.677 million cap hit he will have in 2026. It is equal to the franchise tag salary for the position, as defined by the fifth-year option tiers.
Drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gibbs became an instant star, recording at least 1,200 scrimmage yards in all three seasons and at least 1,800 in each of the last two.
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The Lions have used him as a runner and receiver, with Campbell promising an even bigger role after the team traded David Montgomery this offseason.
Campbell expressed that Gibbs will be used as a “bell cow” in Detroit’s new offense, which is coordinated by Drew Petzing, who was hired this offseason.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lions’ star running back seeking new contract skips practice. What to know
