Marvin Jones Jr. stepping away from Lions to 'take care of personal family matters'
Detroit Lions receiver Marvin Jones Jr. announced he is stepping away from the team to "take care of personal family matters."
The 11-year NFL veteran thanked the Lions organization and the city of Detroit in an Instagram post on Tuesday, and did not disclose the reason behind his departure.
"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 said. "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."
Jones departure comes after he was ruled inactive and didn't travel with the team for Detroit’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He was ruled out with a non-injury-related issue, and head coach Dan Campbell didn't have a timetable for a return ahead of the contest, and called it a "personal issue."
The second oldest receiver in the NFL at age 33, behind newly signed Julio Jones of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones played in Detroit's first six contests this season, with five catches for 35 yards. In 151 career games with the Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals, Jones has 547 catches for 7,421 yards and 58 touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Detroit Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr. stepping away from team