Raymond is stepping up as one of the Lions' top receiving options in the absence of Tyrell Williams (concussion) and Quintez Cephus (collarbone), Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. "I love getting him the ball as much as I can and I'm starting to build a good rapport with him," quarterback Jared Goff said of Raymond.
With Cephus likely done for the season and Williams out indefinitely, only Amon-Ra St. Brown remains to challenge Raymond for consistent targets among the Lions' wide receivers. Of course, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D'Andre Swift are still the focal points of the passing game, but Raymond has nonetheless totaled 15 targets in two games since Cephus went down, while St. Brown drew seven. Given how often the winless Lions need to throw the ball, it's possible this heightened usage could continue as long as Williams remains sidelined. Raymond has averaged over 11 yards per catch in four of the five games in which he's drawn more than two targets this season.