Josh Reynolds didn’t have many answers for what went wrong in the second half of the Lions NFC title game loss on Sunday.
The Lions wide receiver had a pair of crucial third-quarter drops that ended up costing Detroit dearly as the 49ers mounted a historic 17-point comeback in the second half against Detroit to capture a 34-31 win and a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.
“S–t happens, man,” Reynolds told reporters on Tuesday of his second half drops, per the Detroit Free Press. “I know what kind of player I am. Didn’t want to drop them. S–t happens. I just — do I want those back? Of course, but I can’t and I just got to work this offseason and be prepared for the moment when it comes.”
Reynolds couldn’t control a fourth-and-2 conversion on the Lions’ second drive of the half and then dropped a third-and-9 pass a few minutes later.
San Francisco scored on both ensuing drives after the crucial drops, including the go-ahead field goal after the second miss.
Josh Reynolds drops a pass during the third quarter of the Lions’ 34-31 loss to the 49ers in the NFC title game. Getty ImagesReynolds said he didn’t have an explanation for what happened but added, “I definitely didn’t help the part.”
Quarterback Jared Goff came to the defense of Reynolds when he spoke to the media on locker cleanout day.
“We had plenty of mistakes out there,” Goff told reporters. “I missed throws. I took sacks. He made a mistake and it happens and he’s an absolute stud.”
Ambry Thomas celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds during the second half of the Lions’ loss. APReynolds is a free agent this offseason and would like to return to the Lions — who are bringing back offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — for the 2024 season.
The wide receiver said the organization has told him they want him back for next year.
Reynolds arrived in Detroit as a waiver claim in 2021 and has been a big part of the Lions’ offense over the past two years.
Josh Reynolds reacts during the second quarter of the Lions’ loss. Getty ImagesHe had 40 catches for 608 yards and five touchdowns this season.
He had one catch for 25 yards in the title game loss.
