The Lions matched the three-year, $12 million offer sheet extended to Wright by the 49ers on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Wright signed an offer sheet that reportedly included $6 million guaranteed, but since he was a restricted free agent, Detroit had the ability to retain the tight end, who plays a key role as a blocker in the run game. The 49ers will now have to look elsewhere for an additional depth behind George Kittle, while Wright gets an improved contract and the opportunity to remain in a scheme in which he's already thrived. Across 14 regular-season appearances in 2023, Wright totaled 13 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Could back up Kittle
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The offer sheet Wright signed with the 49ers as a restricted free agent Friday is reportedly for three years and $12 million, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Per Birkett, the Lions have five days to match the offer and since Wright was an undrafted free agent, they wouldn't receive draft pick compensation if he departs. If the 25-year-old ends up with the 49ers, he'd be in line to help fill the blocking tight end void behind starter George Kittle created by the free-agent departure of Charlie Woerner.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Signs offer sheet with San Fran
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Wright (forearm) signed an offer sheet with the 49ers on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The Lions extended a one-year, $2.98 million contract tender to Wright ahead of free agency and now have five days to match the 49ers' offer. If not, Wright's deal with San Francisco becomes official. Wright broke his left forearm during Detroit's postseason win over Tampa Bay and finished the 2023 regular season with 13 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown across 14 appearances.
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Lions' Brock Wright: In line for contract tender
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The Lions are slated to extend a contract tender to Wright (forearm) ahead of NFL free agency, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
The report notes that by offering Wright, who is a restricted free agent, a right of first refusal tender of $2.985 million, the Lions will retain the right to match any contract the tight end signs. Wright is bouncing back from a broken left forearm that he sustained in the postseason and coming off a 2023 season in which he caught 13 passes for 91 yards and a TD in 14 regular-season games while working behind outstanding rookie Sam LaPorta.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Heads to IR, done for season
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The Lions placed Wright (forearm) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Wright's season is officially over after he suffered a broken forearm during Detroit's divisional-round victory over Tampa Bay. Anthony Firkser and Zach Ertz -- who was officially signed to the team's practice squad Wednesday -- will be available as depth options behind starting tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers with Wright sidelined.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Breaks forearm in Sunday's win
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Head coach Dan Campbell said after Sunday's 31-23 win over the Buccaneers that Wright sustained a broken forearm, Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports.
With such a serious injury, Wright will likely be out for next weekend's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. Before sustaining the injury Sunday, Wright hauled in his lone target for a 29-yard reception. Anthony Firkser is set to move into the No. 2 spot at tight end behind Sam LaPorta if Wright can't play versus the 49ers.
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Lions' Brock Wright: In line to face Tampa Bay
Rotowire
Wright (hip) has no injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bucs, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Wright practiced in full all week and is good to go for the divisional round. He's likely to fill his typical backup and blocking duties on a fraction of the offensive snaps after Sam LaPorta avoided any setbacks with his knee last Sunday against the Rams.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Wright (hip) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
As expected, Wright looks on track to be ready to go for Sunday's wild-card game versus the Rams. Meanwhile, top tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) didn't participate in practice Wednesday and is uncertain to be available for the playoff opener, making it increasingly likely that Wright finds himself in a starting role this weekend.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Will sit out season finale
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Wright (hip) has been ruled out from Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Minnesota.
Wright will sit out a third straight game due to a hip injury that has kept him out of practice since he was hurt versus the Broncos in Week 15. James Mitchell has been seeing more work in Wright's absence, and Anthony Firkser has been active on game day each of the past two weeks. Firsker was waived Thursday, but he could be back on Detroit's practice squad in time to be elevated for Sunday's regular-season finale.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Still tending to hip injury
Rotowire
Wright (hip) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
Wright has sat out of both of Detroit's last two games due to a hip injury, and now he's missing the first practice of the new week. He'll probably have to return to practice Thursday or Friday to have a chance to play in Week 18.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Won't play at Dallas
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Wright (hip) is listed as out for Saturday's game at Dallas, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
The game status is not surprising considering Wright was not able to practice at all during the week. In his absence, 2022 fifth-rounder James Mitchell will probably get more work on early downs and near the goal line.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Still nursing hip injury
Rotowire
Wright (hip) was listed as a non-participant on the Lions' practice estimate Tuesday, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Wright is apparently still being bothered by the hip issue he picked up in Week 15 versus the Broncos. He'll likely need to practice in some capacity Wednesday or Thursday to give himself a chance to suit up in Week 17.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Missing Week 16
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Wright (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings.
Wright seems to have suffered a hip injury in the Lions' Week 15 win over the Broncos, and after missing the entire week of practice, it's no surprise that he's been ruled out Sunday. James Mitchell will get the opportunity to serve as Detroit's No. 2 tight end with Wright missing Week 16.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Sits out another practice
Rotowire
Wright (hip) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice.
Wright has been a spectator for both of the Lions' first two Week 16 practices, so he'll likely need to log some on-field reps Friday to have a shot at playing Sunday in Minnesota. If Wright is sidelined this weekend, James Mitchell would step in as the top backup to starting tight end Sam LaPorta.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Misses Wednesday's practice
Rotowire
Wright didn't practice Wednesday due to a hip injury.
Wright departed in the first half of Saturday's 42-17 win over Denver with what was called a groin injury at the time, though Detroit is now labeling the health concern differently. The tight end regularly logs 30 to 60 percent of the Lions' offensive snaps, but his contributions in the team's passing game have been limited behind standout rookie Sam LaPorta. Wright's status is up in the air for Sunday's contest against Minnesota, and if he's unavailable, James Mitchell could see more work as the No. 2 tight end.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Questionable to return Saturday
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Wright exited Saturday's game against the Broncos with a groin injury and is questionable to return.
Wright suffered the injury in the first half of the game and was not targeted prior to his exit. The severity of the issue is currently unclear.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Records two receptions in loss
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Wright played 24 of 65 snaps on offense and recorded two catches for six yards on two targets in Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Bears.
Though rookie Sam LaPorta has established himself as the Lions' clear top tight end this season while playing in all 13 games, Wright has been able to carve out a decent-sized role as the No. 2 option at the position. He's played no fewer than 30 percent of the snaps on offense in any of his 13 appearances and has drawn at least one target in seven of his last nine outings.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Signs contract with Detroit
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Wright, who had been an exclusive rights free agent, signed with the Lions on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The same applies to Shane Zylstra, ensuring that the duo will reprise their roles in a Detroit tight end corps that also includes 2022 fifth-rounder James Mitchell and Derrick Deese. This past season, Wright logged a line of 18-216-4 on 24 targets over the course of 17 games. Added pass-catching opportunities could be in store for Wright in 2023, but there's still a solid chance that the Lions add TE depth in the coming weeks and months, quite possibly in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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Lions' Brock Wright: Tendered by Detroit
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Wright was tendered by the Lions on Monday, paving the way for him to return to Detroit in 2023, Kyel Meinke of MLive.com reports.
Wright was one of five exclusive-rights free agents tendered by the Lions. The tight end had 18 catches for 216 yards and four touchdowns in 2022.
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Lions' Brock Wright: No receptions in win
Rotowire
Wright played 34 of the Lions' 60 snaps on offense and failed to reel in his lone target in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Packers.
After Shane Zylstra scored three times in a Week 16 loss to the Panthers, Wright came through with two touchdowns in a Week 17 win over the Bears, but both tight ends came up empty in the season finale. While combining to play 56 snaps Week 18, Wright and Zylstra went without a catch, as third-stringer James Mitchell's seven-yard reception amounted to the only production from the position group. Even though his opportunities picked up following the trade of T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota in November, Wright finished the 2022 campaign with an unremarkable 18-216-4 receiving line on 24 targets over his 16 appearances. Wright is an exclusive-rights free agent this offseason and will most likely be retained, but expect the Lions to at least explore outside options at tight end this offseason rather than promising the 24-year-old the starting gig heading into 2023.
