ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have released veteran receiver Marvin Jones, who posted on social media that he is stepping away from football to deal with “personal family matters.”
“Although this was no easy decision, I cannot be the person/player that I need to be for this team as well as tend to my family from afar,” Jones posted Tuesday on Instagram.
He moved his wife and five children from Miami to San Diego and planned to sign with an NFL team on the West Coast.
When the 33-year-old Jones signed in April, he could not resist an opportunity to play in Detroit again for a vastly improved franchise. He had five catches for 35 yards in six games this season.
“This organization has been amazing showing love and support for myself and my family over the years and this time is no different,” Jones wrote on Instagram. “For that I am appreciative. To my brothers and coaches, I will be rooting for you every step of the way! This is the year! Go get it!!!”
Jones did not travel with the team to its most recent game in Baltimore, where the NFC North-leading Lions were routed by the Ravens.
Lions coach Dan Campbell was vague Monday when asked how long Jones would be away from the team.
“Hard to say on that right now,” Campbell said, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“All I can tell you is it’s a personal issue. Nothing serious like that, it’s something going on. But it’s just that’s where it is right now.”
Detroit (5-2) hosts Las Vegas (3-4) on Monday night.
Jones has 547 catches for 7,421 yards and 58 touchdowns, a total that ranks ninth among active players.
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted the former California star in the fifth round in 2012 and he signed in Detroit for the first time in 2016 and had five productive seasons with the franchise.
Last season, he had 46 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns in Jacksonville and four more catches for 50 yards and a score in the playoffs for the Jaguars.
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