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Lions wide receiver group looks to show it's one of the league's best

Sport

Lions wide receiver group looks to show it's one of the league's best
Sport

Sport

Lions wide receiver group looks to show it's one of the league's best

2026-08-17 03:35 Last Updated At:03:40

ALLEN PARK, MI (AP) — There's no doubt in Isaac TeSlaa's mind where the Detroit Lions wide receiver group ranks among its peers.

“I think we're the best in the league,” TeSlaa said.

The second-year wideout has good reason to feel that way. Amon-Ra St Brown is a two-time first-team All-Pro. Jameson Williams has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving the past two seasons. TeSlaa, a third-round draft pick in 2025, had six touchdowns receptions in his rookie season.

“Obviously, J-Mo and 'Saint' are proven veteran guys who've gone out there every single Sunday and made plays,” TeSlaa said. “I've been trying to make my name. The three of us together, it's going to be hard to stop all of us.”

Given enough time in the pocket, quarterback Jared Goff will usually get the ball in their hands. Goff has averaged 32.5 touchdown passes over the past four seasons and thrown for at least 4,400 yards each season.

St. Brown has averaged 117 receptions over the past three seasons and has sparkled throughout training camp.

“It's mind-blowing,” TeSlaa said of St. Brown. “Sometimes I'm just like, ‘That’s stupid. You should not be able to do that.' He's just incredibly talented and catches everything.”

Williams is one of the league's best at stretching the defense. He's averaged 17 yards per catch during his career.

“With his ability, man, the sky’s the limit,” coach Dan Campbell said. “And, that’s what you’re starting to see. That began to happen (last season) and it became much more consistent. And, then Goff, his confidence goes way up, and now he can let the ball loose a little bit sooner. And so, look, (Williams) is going to have a big year for us. All those skill guys are going to have a big year for us.”

Former Arizona receiver Greg Dortch was signed to a one-year contract this offseason to provide depth and will also be a factor as a returner. There's fierce competition among the seven other receivers on the camp roster for an opening day roster spot.

“That room right now is interesting,” Campbell said.

The Lions released starting cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is facing eight felony charges, on June 29. Arnold still drew interest around the league before reaching an agreement this week with defending Super Bowl champion Seattle.

Campbell wasn't surprised by the news.

“Every team is going to do their due diligence, just like we would if we were in their seat — Seattle or New York or whoever,” he said. “We would have done the same thing. ‘Let’s see if we can find out whatever we can.' He's a good kid, he's got ability, you've seen him on tape. So no, I'm not surprised by that. I have no ill will whatsoever toward Terrion. I wish him the best. And I wish everything and everyone the best in that whole situation.”

Arnold, 23, is facing eight felony charges stemming from allegations he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men in February. He became a free agent in late June after the Lions released him a few days after the kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy charges were levied.

In June, prosecutors in Florida said Arnold arranged for the men to be pistol-whipped after he wrongly suspected them of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury goods from him. Police called him the “primary conspirator” in the Feb. 4 attack, and a judge set his bail at $1 million.

Defense attorney R. Timothy Jansen said in Hillsborough County court earlier this summer that Arnold is “absolutely denying these allegations.” Denise White, the CEO of EAG Sports Management, an agency that represents Arnold, said there’s “no credible evidence” against him, only accounts from others who may have an incentive to get a lighter sentence.

“He's a good dude,” Campbell said. “It's unfortunate. The whole thing is unfortunate. It really is.”

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey (38) knocks the ball from Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac Teslaa (18) for an incompletion during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback DJ Ivey (38) knocks the ball from Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac Teslaa (18) for an incompletion during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Colton Cowser hit a two-run homer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand had a three-run double in a seven-run sixth, Trevor Rogers allowed two runs in six innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 on Sunday.

Jackson Holliday also drove in three runs for Baltimore, which has won three consecutive games as it chases the final wild-card spot in the American League.

Rogers (8-8) scattered seven hits while striking out six.

The teams will conclude a four-game series on Monday.

Freddy Peralta (5-10) allowed just one hit through 4 2/3 innings but allowed two runs to take the loss in his first start at home for Tampa Bay since being acquired from the New York Mets on Aug. 3. Peralta has not recorded a victory since June 14.

Ryan Vilade fell a triple short of the cycle for the Rays, who have lost three consecutive games after winning nine in a row.

The Orioles broke open the game with seven runs in the sixth after eight consecutive hitters reached base — all with two outs. Cowser homered, Holliday followed two batters later with a two-run double and Encarnacion-Strand, who started the inning with a lineout to third, doubled with the bases loaded to make it 10-1.

Vilade hit a solo home run in the fourth to give the Rays the lead. But the Orioles followed in the top of the fifth for three runs on an RBI single from Holliday and a two-run double by Pete Alonso.

Baltimore will start RHP Brandon Young (9-3, 3.33 ERA) on Monday while LHP Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.09 ERA) will be activated off IL and is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Baltimore Orioles' Alex Hoppe pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles' Alex Hoppe pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser (17) and second baseman Jackson Holliday (7) celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays during a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser (17) and second baseman Jackson Holliday (7) celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays during a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles' Christian Encarnacion-Strand connects for a three-run double off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joe Boyle during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles' Christian Encarnacion-Strand connects for a three-run double off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joe Boyle during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser (17) celebrates his two-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz with Leody Taveras (30) during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser (17) celebrates his two-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz with Leody Taveras (30) during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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