ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jahmyr Gibbs was back on the field Thursday for the first time since Detroit Lions training camp started a week ago.
The Pro Bowl running back participated in the early walk-through session and team stretching period before moving to the sideline to work with trainers.
It was not a full practice, but it was a start as Gibbs and the Lions appear closer to a deal to finalize a contract extension. He did not speak to the media when walking off the field after practice, but he held his right arm high and gave a thumbs up when asked if a deal was close.
“He’s one of our best players. We always want him out there, but I know he’s going to be ready when the moment comes,’’ offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said before practice. “I’m not concerned about it.’’
Gibbs, entering his fourth season, has been at camp participating in meetings, but Thursday was his first day on the field. He rushed for 1,223 yards with 13 touchdowns and had 77 receptions for 616 yards and five scores in 2025.
Linebacker Jack Campbell, who called Gibbs a fantastic human being, said his return makes his job tougher.
“For me, when I saw him back out there I was like, ‘Gosh, now I have to go one-on-one against him in routes,’" Campbell said. “But it’s good to have Jah back. You know what he is, you know what he does for the team, he’s electric.’’
In the past two days, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (two-year, $44 million) and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (three-year, up to $75 million) have reached contract extensions which could open the door for a Gibbs deal. Robinson is now the highest paid running back in NFL history.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs signs autographs for fans after practice at the NFL football team's training camp, in Allen Park, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate committee is set to vote Thursday on whether to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress and refer him to the Justice Department for potential prosecution over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing last week focused on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, the Republican committee chairman, has said that constitutional protection did not apply since Fauci last year received a pardon from President Joe Biden and thus did not have to worry about the threat of prosecution.
But Fauci, in a statement issued before the hearing, said he had good reason to fear the possibility of criminal charges given what he said was Paul's determination “to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote."
The pardon from Biden covered acts from 2014 through the January 2025 day it was issued but does not shield Fauci from state-level prosecutions or from investigations into any testimony that he did give that lawmakers thought was false.
The Republican-led panel is set to vote Thursday morning on whether to refer Fauci to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, which would make a decision on whether or not to investigate or potentially attempt to prosecute the doctor for contempt.
Paul, who has previously sent referrals on Fauci on his own, acknowledged Wednesday that contempt resolutions have often gone through the full Senate but said he did not “want to waste time” moving the matter to a vote of the full Senate, where it would be unlikely to muster the required 60 votes needed to advance.
“We still might come to the floor,” he said, “but at this point, the first thing we will do is we will send it over as a recommendation from our committee, if it passes.”
No matter what happens, the episode raises fresh and complicated questions about lawmakers' ability to compel testimony from previously pardoned witnesses — and the outcome could resonate beyond Fauci given the possibility that Trump may also grant clemency to his own aides before leaving the White House.
Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is sworn in before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., speaks as Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Dr. Anthony Fauci departs after appearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks to reporters following a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
