Josh Reynolds Reveals Challenges of Learning Detroit Lions Offense

But, first, it’s about learning the playbook.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Reynolds said of the toughest parts of learning a playbook. “A little bit of all of it. Mostly the little details on the routes, or supposed to be two yards outside the numbers instead of three and stuff like that. Just kind of having to flip my brain and hearing a dig, and now, I’ve got to be a certain amount of yards outside.”

Reynolds has also been helped in his process by Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who was his signal-caller when the two played for the Los Angeles Rams. Both are in their first year as Lions, so they’re working together to learn the nuances of head coach Dan Campbell’s playbook.

“He can kind of compare it to the Rams' playbook,” Reynolds said. “The Rams' offense. ‘This is like this.' So, he helps a lot.”

The pair of former Rams connected for a 39-yard touchdown on the Lions’ first drive in Week 12. The moment was important, because it showed the chemistry that has been sustained by the duo.

“It’s awesome to be able to kind of get that trust factor back again and start to hit these downfield passes,” Reynolds said. “Because ultimately that opens up the short game and the run game, so I think it’s big for the offense.” 

Challenges of game planning without running back D'Andre Swift

Losing a player of D'Andre Swift's caliber will certainly impact the Lions offense. 

For Campbell and the coaching staff, it means an opportunity for others on the roster to showcase their capabilities. 

"Everybody deals with injuries and it’s been that way for years," Campbell said.

“Look, it’s not easy to replace a guy like him, as dynamic as he’s been. You’re making a good point, and so I think it really becomes that production is by committee now," Campbell explained.