Super Bowl LIX is set, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs scheduled to face off on February 9 in New Orleans.
While the rest of the league is focused on strengthening their rosters for the 2025 season, the Detroit Lions are in that group after being eliminated in the Divisional Round.
Although there’s nothing more to be done for this season, the 2025 Pro Bowl Games are set to take place in Orlando. The Lions have already announced that OT Taylor Decker will replace Penei Sewell and make his first Pro Bowl appearance.
The Pro Bowl roster saw more changes, with it being revealed on Monday that New York Giants WR Malik Nabers would take the place of WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is sidelined due to injury.
Giants say (in the link) Malik Nabers is filling in for Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, "who is unable to participate due to injury." Same reason why Taylor Decker is subbing in for Penei Sewell.
Not exactly uncommon; St. Brown replaced Philadelphia’s AJ Brown last year. https://t.co/YXheIhfVaC
— Richard Silva (@rich_silva18) January 27, 2025
Lions News: Malik Nabers Will Replace Amon-Ra St. Brown on Pro Bowl Roster
It remains unclear what injury St. Brown sustained, but he has decided to step away from the games. The 25-year-old has made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and earned two straight First-Team All-Pro honors.
This season, the USC product ranked second in the NFL in receptions (115), fifth in receiving yards (1,263), and third in touchdowns (12). He has been the focal point of Detroit’s passing game and has received widespread recognition for his achievements. While his injury hasn’t been disclosed, he chose to sit out in order to recover.
Nabers stepping in for St. Brown is a solid decision. The LSU rookie made an immediate impact, finishing his first season with the Giants with 109 catches (ranking fifth in the NFL), 1,204 receiving yards (seventh), and seven touchdowns. He also recorded 16 receptions of over 20 yards.
At just 21 years old, Nabers has already proven he’s among the top wide receivers in the league.
As for St. Brown, this isn’t his first injury setback. Prioritizing his recovery over playing in a game that doesn’t affect the Lions’ season is crucial. Being fully healthy for OTAs and minicamps is far more important.
More news….
Three Detroit Lions Make 2025’s Top 100 Free Agent List
With the Detroit Lions’ season ending prematurely, they now face the task of evaluating expiring player contracts. Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlights three players they should prioritize keeping.
Carlton Davis III, Cornerback
Carlton Davis III ranked among the top 25 most valuable free agents. A former second-round pick, Davis joined the Lions in the offseason after spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season with Detroit, Davis recorded 56 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions in just 13 games, as he missed time due to a fractured jaw sustained during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard
Kevin Zeitler, ranked six spots below Davis III, is an appealing free agent. The veteran guard and former first-round pick had one of his best seasons with Detroit, finishing with a pass-block rate of 78.8% and a run-block rate of 87.2%. Though Zeitler is approaching the end of his career, he still provides considerable value to any team.
Levi Onwuzirke, Defensive Tackle
Levi Onwuzirke, ranked 40th on PFF’s list of most valuable free agents, has shown promise but struggled with injuries throughout his four seasons in Detroit. During the 2024 season, Onwuzirke posted 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. If he can stay healthy and have a breakout season, Onwuzirke could become an important contributor for any team.
