This year's jersey numbers are in for the Lions, including new Nos. 1 and 2 and a No. 0 for the first time in more than 60 years.
Marvin Jones Jr., who wore No. 11 during his first stint in Detroit, will rep the zero this time around after the NFL added it as an eligible jersey number this offseason for the first time in league history. He will be the first Lions player to wear No. 0 since Johnny Olszewski in 1961.
Cornerback Cam Sutton will take over No. 1, which was vacated when the Lions traded Jeff Okudah. And defensive back C.J. Gardner Johnson will take over No. 2, which was made available when Austin Bryant departed in free agency.
No. 1 had been coveted by receiver Jameson Williams, who made his wishes known on social media shortly after the Okudah trade. But Sutton's seniority won out. The six-year vet inked a $33 million deal with Detroit this offseason.
So Williams, last year's 12th overall pick, will stick with No. 9, which he chose last summer after a phone call to the Lions' former No. 9 Matthew Stafford.
As for the Lions' two other marquee free agent signings, running back David Montgomery will rock No. 5, which was worn last season by DeShon Elliott, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley will rep No. 4, which belonged to DJ Chark.
For the rookies, the numbers are more by the book. First-round picks Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell will wear No. 26 and No. 46, respectively. That's just fine for Campbell, an old-school linebacker who said after the draft that he's not that into numbers and that the Lions will "give me what I'm gonna get."
"Whether it's 1 or 99 or anything in between, I'm just excited for the opportunity," Campbell said.
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