Jahmyr Gibbs has missed the opening two practices of Detroit Lions training camp while negotiations continue over a contract extension, although both his coach and team-mates have played down the prospect of the dispute becoming damaging.

The three-time Pro Bowl running back reported to camp and has continued to attend meetings, but has not joined his teammates on the field. His approach amounts to a ‘hold-in’, allowing him to remain around the team while avoiding the injury risk that would accompany practising without a new agreement.

Gibbs remains under contract for two more seasons after Detroit exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. That guarantees him approximately $14.29m in 2027, but does not provide the longer-term protection sought by a player whose position carries a particularly short average career span. Head coach Dan Campbell admitted he had expected negotiations to be completed before camp began but insisted he was not concerned by the delay.

“You guys know how I feel about — how we feel about — Gibbs and what the team feels about him,” Campbell said. “I’ll leave it at that. My job is to coach who’s out there right now. I love the kid, but I’ve got a team to coach right now. And, listen, whatever all this — at some point, it’ll all get done. It’s going to get done. I’m not even sweating it.”

Gibbs became eligible for an extension after completing the third season of the four-year rookie contract he signed as the 12th overall selection in 2023. He has since accumulated more than 5,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 49 touchdowns in 49 regular season games, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most productive backs.

His case also tests Detroit’s ability to retain the exceptional draft class that helped transform the franchise into a contender. The Lions have already given linebacker Jack Campbell a four-year, $81m extension after declining his substantially more expensive fifth-year option. Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch are also approaching the point at which their rookie contracts must be replaced by market-rate agreements. General manager Brad Holmes acknowledged earlier this year that keeping every member of that group would inevitably affect the resources available elsewhere.

“They are part of our foundation,” Holmes said. “But it just goes back to the retaining — okay, that’s paying — and then how much additional resources do you have going forward? Those are all players you rattled off that we see as key pieces that we want to keep around a long time.”

Gibbs has provided an unusually strong return on Detroit’s investment. His selection at #12 attracted criticism because of the declining value traditionally assigned to running backs, but his explosiveness as both a runner and receiver quickly made him central to the Lions’ offense. Detroit has gradually increased his responsibilities and Campbell described him during the offseason as the team’s prospective ‘bell cow’. The coach joked that his choice of words may not have helped the club at the negotiating table.

“I shouldn’t have said ‘bell cow’, I guess, right?” Campbell said. “‘Hey, well, coach said ‘bell cow’.’ Honestly, I didn’t even think twice about it. I didn’t think it would be [so important] — I really didn’t. I thought we’d have been done by now, but I also know how this goes. I’ve been in this league a long time, player and coach. So [I] know how it goes. I’m not sweating it.”

The absence has not isolated Gibbs from the rest of the squad. Running back Sione Vaki said his team-mate remains eager to return and has the full support of the position group.

“Jah’s doing what he can do,” Vaki said. “He definitely wants to be out there. That’s something he wanted to emphasise. This isn’t something he do. It’s just a business. He definitely wants to be with his team-mates, man. He’s that kind of guy. So, anytime we get to see him, we’re just loving him up, telling him, ‘Do what you’ve got to do’.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown has personal experience of negotiating a major extension with Detroit. The receiver signed a four-year, $120m agreement in 2024 and remains close to Gibbs, although he declined to disclose details of their conversations.

“Jahmyr’s my dawg,” St. Brown said. “I miss him out here. I think he’ll be out here hopefully sooner rather than later. I talk to him quite a bit. Obviously, I can’t share with you guys everything, but I love Jahmyr. I miss him out here. Like I said, he’ll be out here sooner rather than later, hopefully.”

For now, Detroit is using the additional practice work to accelerate the integration of former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who joined the Lions during the offseason. Vaki is also receiving an extended opportunity after making the transition from safety, while Jacob Saylors, Jabari Small and Kye Robichaux have moved up the rotation.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Campbell said. “And, look, it’s one of the reasons we got Pacheco. This is extra reps for ‘Pop’ with us just within our system. So that’s awesome. Vaki gets these reps, Saylors, Small, Robichaux…”

Those snaps may benefit Detroit’s depth, but none of the players receiving them offers Gibbs’ combination of acceleration, receiving ability and touchdown production. His absence is also occurring as new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing installs his system, making an early resolution preferable even if neither side appears inclined to manufacture a public confrontation.

“Obviously, we’re missing one of our best players on offense, which sucks, but he’s still in the building,” St. Brown said. “He’s still at all the meetings and everything, so I think that the players understand what’s going on. Everyone kinda gets it as part of this business.”