Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s recent disclosure dropped jaws across the NFL but could eventually pay dividends down the road.
Health remains at the top of the list of priorities for players. Now, the athletes appear to take full control of their bodies, and teams do not possess the same level of authority as they once did. To his credit, St. Brown’s dealt with this issue before too much time in the summer had elapsed.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown Undergoes Knee Surgery, Eyes Camp Return
After raking in 115 catches for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns, the Lions’ lead receiver made a personal decision. Now, as a member of a team, personal health decisions will affect the group as a whole.
Especially for St. Brown, who head coach Dan Campbell relies upon to serve as the main target. This week, the three-time Pro Bowl wideout mentioned that he underwent knee surgery. ESPN writer Eric Woodyard tweeted the news and offered up a timeline.
“Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown said he underwent surgery on his knee after the season but expects to be ready for training camp,” Woodyard said.
#Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown said he underwent surgery on his knee after the season but expects to be ready for training camp.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) June 5, 2025
Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reported a quote from the wideout on his injury status. “I had surgery on my knee after the season, just to clean some stuff up,” St. Brown said on Thursday afternoon, June 5. “I’ve been rehabbing that. But I should be good to go for training camp.”
While seemingly completely out of nowhere, the reason for the procedure actually helps the team. With 430 catches during the first four years of his career, his chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff should go unquestioned. With just a look at the line of scrimmage, the duo can plan out everything from option routes to audibles.
Furthermore, the former USC product catches his targets at a 75.4% clip, which makes him a volume catcher that possesses sure hands. Under those circumstances, St. Brown arguably does not need much time in OTAs. Rookies like Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett will assume those reps, hoping to earn regular-season snaps. In return, the receiver room gets deeper.
However, with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson taking the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, how much different will the Detroit offense look under new coordinator John Morton? Morton returns home to Michigan and promises the Johnson offense will stay mostly the same with slight alterations.
Detroit needs to get over the metaphorical hump and advance to the Super Bowl. They may need St. Brown to post another triple-digit-catch season. While he recuperates, the coaching staff and the new wideouts cannot wait for him to walk into camp. Instead, use his absence as an opportunity.