Kalif

Raymond

TeSlaa emerged as a primary option for the Lions in Week 13 after Amon-Ra St. Brown departed with injury, finishing off the back half of his rookie season as the clear WR3 for the Lions. That effectively shifted Kalif Raymond into a situational role, something likely to carry forward into the 2026 season. TeSlaa ends his rookie year with 16 catches for 239 yards, flashing abilities in the red zone through six touchdowns. Although unlikely to immediately see his role grow while playing alongside St. Brown and Jameson Williams, TeSlaa appears likely to step into a bigger role when one of the main receivers goes down. That gives him legitimate best ball upside considering he will be playing for an offense that has finished in the top five in scoring in each of the previous four seasons.

Raymond and Isaac TeSlaa split the No. 3 role this week. Both players topped 50 yards and scored. TeSlaa did so on seven targets compared to five for Raymond. Jared Goff compiled 364 yards in a failed comeback bid, allowing multiple ancillary pieces to get home this week. That shouldn’t be the case next week. We don’t recommend starting Raymond or TeSlaa in the fantasy football finals.

He was actually shut out until the fourth quarter, as only three Lions even were targeted up until that point. Isaac TeSlaa (39 snaps) received a clear plurality of the third receiver cardio, but bageled on one target. The Lions have done a great job concentrating things on the main pieces and neither Raymond nor TeSlaa are must-starts if they can’t get anywhere close to “there” when the team scores 34 points.

Raymond will cut in to Isaac TeSlaa’s fantasy upside. TE Shane Zylstra (knee), RB Sione Vaki (thumb), and OL Taylor Decker (shoulder) are all playing off the questionable line as well. G Kayode Awosika (foot) is out off the questionable line. Also inactive for the Lions are: S Thomas Harper, S Kerby Joseph, DL Tyler Lacy, WR Dominic Lovett, CB Nick Whiteside and DL Mekhi Wingo.

He got in three limited practices this week. Raymond carries almost zero stand-alone fantasy value, but his return could put a crimp in Isaac TeSlaa’s contributions against the Rams. Even with touchdown catches in his last two weeks, TeSlaa would be a low-floor start against a good Rams pass defense.

Raymond practiced in a limited fashion for the first time since suffering his ankle injury in Week 12. The 31-year-old barely maintains fantasy relevance, with a 4/49 line going for his best of the season. However, when he is active, he tends to take routes from the rookie touchdown-generator Isaac TeSlaa. Neither Raymond or TeSlaa are surefire fantasy plays, but fantasy managers should move TeSlaa out of their deep league lineups if Raymond plays Week 15 against the Rams.

St. Brown was unable to practice this week after injuring his ankle last Thursday against the Packers. While he possesses some re-injury risk, he was moving very well during warmups and should be started against the Cowboys this evening. The Lions declared S Kerby Joseph, WR Kalif Raymond, OG Kayode Awosika, TE Hayden Rucci, DL Mekhi Wingo and DL Tyler Lacy inactive for Week 14 against the Cowboys. Lions RT Penei Sewell (shoulder), LT Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest) and C Graham Glasgow (knee) are active.

Since suffering this ankle injury in Week 12, Raymond has not yet practiced. Isaac TeSlaa took over as the third wideout last week and scored despite seeing just two targets. TeSlaa has already proven himself a big-play threat, but his target volume is so low he’ll be hard to trust in a FLEX spot.

Isaac TeSlaa took his place against the Packers on Thanksgiving, scoring a touchdown and catching a second ball on a 92.1 percent snap share. TeSlaa is probably too raw to trust given the low target counts for most fantasy leagues, but he could be a DFS slate play for sure on Thursday if Raymond can’t get back to practice.

TeSlaa scored his touchdown on the Lions’ sixth drive, getting open on an in-breaking route inside the end zone. The play went for 17 yards, marking his third career score. He is a boom-bust FLEX option with Kalif Raymond (ankle) sidelined.