Marvin Jones Jr. Steps Away from Lions 'to Take Care of Personal Family Matters'

Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is stepping away from the team to attend to a family matter.

Jones announced Tuesday in an Instagram post:

"I just want to say that I have so much love and respect for the Ford family, the city of Detroit, my teammates and coaches. To be brief, I am stepping away from the team to take care of 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. This organization has been amazing showing love and support for myself and my family over the years and this time is no different. 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!!! Love and respect to ALL!"

As part of an agreement between Jones and the team, the Lions will be releasing him on the transaction report on Tuesday, per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News.

Jones re-signed with the Lions ahead of the 2023 campaign following a two-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously played in Detroit from 2016-20, which were some of the best statistical years of his career.

In that span, Jones caught 289 passes for 4,296 yards and 36 touchdowns in 69 games. Perhaps his best season in Detroit came in 2017 when he caught 61 passes for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games.

The 33-year-old had struggled to make an impact in the Detroit offense this season, catching just five passes for 35 yards in six games.

Despite his struggles this year, Jones still ranks in the top 10 in Lions history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. His 36 touchdown receptions rank third behind Calvin Johnson and Herman Moore.

The Lions are now left with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Jameson Williams and Antoine Green at wide receiver. While that's more than enough to do the job, Detroit also has Maurice Alexander, Daurice Fountain and Dylan Drummond on the practice squad.

St. Brown leads all Lions receivers with 51 catches for 557 yards and three touchdowns in six games.

The Lions are atop the NFC North with a 5-2 record and looking to win the division for the first time since the 1993 campaign. They'll be back in action on Monday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.