ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Every week, Tim Wright would wait. He’d find out the game plan, figure out what the coaches wanted and then learn whether or not he’d actually be participating in the actual game for the Detroit Lions.
This was a change after playing every game of his first two NFL seasons in Tampa Bay and New England, respectively. When he was traded from the Buccaneers to Detroit the last week of training camp, he figured that would continue.
However, the Lions rarely used him and have made him active for only six of 13 games this season. It is not something he has gotten used to.
“I wanted to be out there bad,” Wright said. “Every week I want to be out there bad.”
Wright had a combined 80 catches for 830 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first two seasons, and the Lions appeared to have plans for him when they traded kicker Kyle Brindza for him and then kept him over Joseph Fauria.
But Wright's been inactive since Week 8 after having eight catches for 68 yards and a touchdown in his first six games. His inactive status should change the rest of the season after Detroit lost tight end Brandon Pettigrew for the season Sunday with a torn left ACL.
So Wright should see the field again. He feels he needs to show something over the final three weeks of the season, mostly to “prove I can do my job.”
He’ll likely get that shot as he and Eric Ebron are the only tight ends with NFL experience on the roster. While Detroit might sign another tight end -- the Lions will have an open roster spot when Pettigrew officially goes on injured reserve -- Ebron and Wright understand the offense the best.
While Wright could benefit from seeing some snaps and being active, Ebron will likely see the majority of snaps for the Lions at tight end the rest of the season. The larger role might benefit him as well.
“It’s a lot of assignments and a lot of things you’ve got to know,” Ebron said. “I’ve just got to be ready for every play, every defense, every design, everything. Usually I wouldn’t have to because, I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t have to because you never know what happens, but you know, Grew mostly took on most of the running role, which we know of, because he’s a fantastic blocker.
“So once again, I got to get my mindset back to being multi-dimensional in this offense again. It’s helped. I like it when I’ve got a lot on my plate. It helps me perform better.”
Ebron’s most productive games this season came when Pettigrew was sidelined, including 16 of his 34 catches for 215 of his 384 yards. So while he’ll be expected to block more, he’ll also be on the field more.
This could help his development. Ebron hasn’t reached his personal goals this season but is hoping to hit two or three of them over the final three games. He feels like he’s grown, though. And, like Wright, he has a chance to pick up even more experience with Pettigrew out.
Even though Ebron hasn’t hit the goals he wanted to this season, he believes he is heading in the right direction.
“Definitely growing,” Ebron said. “Definitely mentally growing into this offense and continue to show what I can do and how I can do it.”
