Pro Football Focus' highest graded offensive player for the Detroit Lions in their loss to Green Bay Sunday was rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa with a 96.2 grade.
Talk about maximizing opportunity, TeSlaa earned that grade while playing just three offensive snaps, including a highlight 13-yard one-handed TD grab in the final minute for Detroit's only touchdown of the afternoon in a 27-13 loss.
"We really wanted to try and get him involved last week but then he got sick and missed a lot of practice so then we didn't feel comfortable trying to load him up," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. "So, it was going to be very limited."
Those three plays were red-zone snaps for the rookie third-round pick as Detroit looked to use his size (6-4, 214) and speed (4.4) combo close to the end zone. TeSlaa missed Tuesday's practice last week due to illness and was limited in Thursday's practice before returning to be a full participant Friday.
The practice time missed, coupled with Sunday being his first regular season contest, made the Lions take a cautious approach to his inclusion in the offensive game plan.
But I expect to see more of TeSlaa starting Sunday in Detroit's home opener against the Chicago Bears.
"Certainly, we'd like to use him more," Campbell said. "There's something there. Looks like he's back and feels pretty good. It was good to see him make a play. He was only in for three plays on offense but did a good job on those three, made that big catch, so we're going to start trying to get him some reps."
TeSlaa scored three touchdowns in the preseason and had a nice training camp. Detroit's passing game recorded only one explosive play in the loss to the Packers. TeSlaa showed in the preseason and camp that he can provide some of that with his size, route running, hands and body control.
"Obviously it was great to score a touchdown, but it would have been great if it was in a little different situation," TeSlaa said after the game Sunday. "Obviously been a dream of mine to play in the NFL and to play in this stadium specifically. Unfortunate in the end result but we get to see them again and that's the best part of it."
TeSlaa gets his second crack at a division opponent at Ford Field Sunday where he is expected to play a bigger role as the Lions look to even their record to 1-1 to start the season.
