Category: Lions News

Dan Campbell gives uncertain update on Taylor Decker ahead of Week 14

Lions head coach Dan Campbell gives uncertain update on injured left tackle Taylor Decker ahead of Week 14

The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on the Thursday night matchup for Week 14. Both teams are coming off wins on Thanksgiving.

There has been considerable focus on the Lions injuries on the defensive side of the ball, but one critical offensive injury could be lingering for Detroit’s offense into the Week 14 NFC North matchup. Left tackle Taylor Decker missed the win over the Bears and could miss the rematch with the Packers, too. The veteran team captain is dealing with a leg injury suffered in the Week 12 win against the Colts where he got rolled up from the side on a play.

Head coach Dan Campbell was asked about Decker’s potential availability for Thursday night’s game at his Sunday afternoon press conference,

“Better and better,” Campbell said of Decker’s progress. “I still think he’s day-to-day. I think it will come down to the wire with him whether he can go this week. He’s certainly better (than he was before Thanksgiving).”

Dan Skipper replaced Decker at left tackle against the Bears, giving up four QB pressures on Jared Goff per PFF. The Lions elected to keep All-Pro Penei Sewell at right tackle, and that paid off in the run blocking department against the Bears while Sewell also pitched a shutout in pass protection.

Lions adding safety Jamal Adams to practice squad

The Lions are adding former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams to their practice squad.

Former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams is joining the Lions and will begin on their practice squad with the opportunity to be called up to the active roster. This according to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The news was also confirmed by Adams’ agent, Kevin Connor.

Adams had wanted to latch on with a playoff contender. It doesn’t get much better right now than the 11-1 Lions.

The 29-year-old appeared in three games for the Tennessee Titans this season. He spent three seasons with the New York Jets and four with the Seattle Seahawks after being traded in 2020.

Adams is a three-time All-Pro selection, including the First Team in 2019.

Kwon Alexander’s ironic new turn as the Lions remedy for injured LBs

New Lions LB Kwon Alexander has seen his career derailed by numerous injuries, but now Detroit needs him because of so many injuries of its own

Desperation, thy name is Kwon Alexander.

That’s where the Detroit Lions defense sits entering Week 14, with a viable entire starting defense sitting on injured reserve and two more Lions freshly added to the I.R. after injuries in the Thanksgiving win over the Bears. Desperate for healthy bodies to bridge the gap until players like Alex Anzalone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are able to return, the Lions plucked Alexander off the Denver Broncos’ practice squad.

It’s perhaps the most ironic news of what has already been a very odd–in a good way–season for the Lions.

Alexander carries name recognition with fans from his early days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fleet-footed off-ball LB from LSU sparked immediately as a fourth-round pick back in 2015. In 2016, Alexander led the NFL in solo tackles. The next year, Alexander earned a Pro Bowl with nearly 100 tackles and three INTs in 12 games.

The game-faced Alexander was a rising defensive star through those first three seasons, albeit one who missed four games apiece in two of those first three years with injuries. And then the injuries came. And came. And kept coming…

2018 – torn left ACL (10 games missed)
2019 – torn pectoral (8)
2019 playoffs – torn biceps (played through it)
2020 – high ankle sprain (4)
2020 – torn right Achilles (10, including the start of 2021)
2023 – torn left Achilles (8)

Alexander made it through a 17-game season just one, the 2022 campaign with the Jets. He made a positive impact in his one year in New York, quickly emerging as the Jets’ best LB in coverage and still a willing, if not always able, chase-down tackler in the run game.

He was playing reasonably well for the Steelers last season before the Achilles injury. Working at ILB, Alexander was relied upon in coverage and clean-up tackling in the run game and, aside from a very high missed tackle rate, fit well in Pittsburgh’s read-and-attack defense.

Now the man who has missed the equivalent of three full 17-game seasons due to a litany of injuries since 2017 is tasked with being the bandage for a Detroit LB corps that has lost Reeves-Mayvin, Anzalone and now Rodriguez in the last month.

If Alexander can show in Detroit what he did pre-injury in Pittsburgh in 2023, he can immediately help cover the loss of Anzalone and Reeves-Maybin–Detroit’s top two coverage linebackers. The glimpses of playing time Alexander got in Denver midseason are promising on that front. The veteran proved to be a nice foil against Lamar Jackson in Denver’s Week 9 loss to the Ravens.

Lions fans will have to live with the missed tackles (a rate over 20 percent since 2019) and the loss of the instant burst and twitchy reactions that made him a Pro Bowler all those years ago. Detroit simply needs functional depth and the best Kwon Alexander he can still be. He’ll get the chance to prove it quickly with the Lions.

Lions waive WR, place two defenders on I.R. and sign 3 in busy day of roster moves

Lions waive WR, place two defenders on I.R. and sign 3 in busy day of roster moves following Week 13 win over Bears

Saturday was a very active one for the Detroit Lions on the roster move front. The Lions made several moves to deal with injuries across the defense.

As expected, the Lions placed LB Malcolm Rodriguez and DL Mekhi Wingo on injured reserve. Both were lost for the season with knee injuries suffered in Thursday’s Week 13 win over the Chicago Bears.

The Lions added reinforcements to the defense, signing three players from opposing practice squads to bolster the depth. The newcomers:

DL Myles Adams (Seahawks)
LB Kwon Alexander (Broncos)
DL Jonah Williams (Rams)

The acquisitions of Alexander and Williams were previously reported. Adams played for Seattle in the Week 4 matchup with Detroit, recording three tackles. The Seahawks waived Adams last week and signed him back to their practice squad, but the Lions have now poached him for the active roster.

All three of the players signed from other practice squads must remain on the Lions’ 53-man active roster for at least three weeks.

To make room for Adams, the Lions waived wide receiver and return man Maurice Alexander. Detroit had signed Alexander for Week 13 from its own practice squad to replace injured Kalif Raymond. Alexander handled return duties in the win over the Bears and averaged over 10 yards per punt return. He is eligible to return to the Lions practice squad if unclaimed by another team on Monday.

 

#Lions announce roster moves: Waived WR Maurice Alexander. Placed LB Malcolm Rodriguez and DL Mekhi Wingo on Reserve/Injured. Signed DL Myles Adams (From SEA Practice Squad), LB Kwon Alexander (from DEN Practice Squad), and DL Jonah Williams (from LAR Practice Squad) to the Active Roster.

— Detroit Lions (@detroitlions.bsky.social) November 30, 2024 at 4:25 PM

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Lions lose another defender to season-ending injury

Lions lose another defender to season-ending injury, with rookie DL Mekhi Wingo suffering a knee injury vs the Bears

The Detroit Lions defense took another hit to the depth chart with the news that rookie defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo is out for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Wingo, a 6th-round rookie from LSU, will miss the rest of the year with a knee injury. Wingo left Thursday’s win over the Chicago Bears in the second half and did not return.

“Wingo is going to be out, he’ll be done for the season,” Campbell stated. “His will probably require surgery. That’s another one.”

On the plus side, Campbell believes Wingo will be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

“Hate that for him, but everything will be clean and he’ll be healed up for next year. That’s good news,” Campbell continued on Wingo.

Wingo joins linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez as Lions defenders who suffered confirmed season-ending injuries in the Thanksgiving game.

The Wingo injury sheds more light on why the Lions poached DL Jonah Williams from the Los Angeles Rams practice squad.

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Lions sign LB Kwon Alexander to help after more injuries hit Detroit’s defense

Lions sign LB Kwon Alexander from the Broncos practice squad to help after more injuries hit Detroit’s defense

The hits keep coming for the Detroit Lions defense this season. In addition to losing starters such as Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone, it was confirmed today that linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez tore his ACL. The injury occurred on Thursday against the Chicago Bears, and it will be a season-ending injury for Rodriguez.

Rodriguez had earned a bigger role on the Lion’s defense due to injuries to linebackers Derrick Barnes and Alex Anzalone. This season, Rodriguez had played in 10 games and started in 6 games for the Lions defense. It’s resulted in him registering 43 tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.

With Rodriguez being out for the rest of the season, the Lions will need to remain creative with their defense. More than likely we will see them use more of linebackers David Long Jr and Ezekiel Turner. In addition to that, it was announced today that the Lions signed linebacker Kwon Alexander.

Prior to signing with the Lions, Alexander was on the Denver Broncos practice squad for most of this season. However, he has played in 3 games with 2 starts with the Broncos this season.

Last season with the Steelers, he suffered a torn Achilles against the Packers in Week 10, and it forced him to miss the remainder of the season. Fortunately, he did find his way back onto the field with the Broncos this season. His most recent start came in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Overall, Alexander is an experienced defender who was a 4th-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his career, he has played in 107 career games with 90 career starts between the Buccaneers, Saints, 49ers, Steelers, Jets and Broncos. The hope is that he can help provide some consistency to a Lions defense that is in desperate need of experience and talent after all the injuries this season.

Lions add veteran DT from the Rams practice squad

The Detroit Lions add veteran DT Jonah Williams from the Rams practice squad

The Detroit Lions are bringing in more reinforcements for the injury-ravaged defense. The team is signing veteran defensive lineman Jonah Williams, as first reported by Tom Pelissero.

Williams is a familiar player for GM Brad Holmes. With the Los Angeles Rams, Holmes was part of the scouting staff that brought in the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Williams as an undrafted free agent back in 2020. Williams played collegiately at Weber State.

Despite being on the Rams practice squad at the time of the Lions signing him, Williams was a full-time starter in Los Angeles last season. He bagged two sacks and 49 tackles while starting 16 games in his third season with the Rams. Williams can play both inside and outside, spending most of his time playing over the offensive tackle. He signed this offseason with the Minnesota Vikings but failed to make their roster out of camp.

Williams adds more help to a Lions defense that has been devastated by recent injuries, including linemen Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike in Thursday’s win over the Bears.

Hope index for each of the Detroit Lions injured reserve players

Hope index for each of the Detroit Lions injured reserve players and if/when they can return to action, including Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Barnes

Hope and optimism are filling the air this holiday season for Lions fans. There is more reason for hope than any season in decades with an NFL-leading 11-1 record. With the playoffs rapidly approaching, team health from this point forward will be a major factor in determining their fate.

Let’s check the outlook of the players on injured reserve (IR) using quotes about hope from some of my favorite movies.

“You must complete your mission. You must lay the seeds for the future. You’re here to influence history and worlds to come.”

– Mr. Robertson in Predestination

Aidan Hutchinson – left tibia/fibula fracture, October 13

This superstar DE was on the short list for defensive player of the year before his injury. The timeline for a tib/fib recovery is typically at least four months.

The Super Bowl is 17 weeks from the time of his injury. I expect him to return for the big game, albeit in limited fashion and with limited ability. He won’t have his usual quickness, strength, or stamina, but he may still be effective as a decoy and distraction to the opponent. The greatest value of his early return may be off-the-field as an inspirational, emotional boost to the team and the fanbase.

Next season, he should be back to his elite self as he cements his influence on Lions history.

“I do not believe it to be a matter of hope, it is simply a matter of time.”

– Morpheus in The Matrix

These players have short-term injuries that will allow them to return for the start of the playoffs or even before.

Alex Anzalone – left forearm fracture, November 17

This speedy starting LB has an estimated 6-8 week recovery for his forearm. The silver lining to the injury is that his legs are unaffected allowing him to return stronger and fresher than before. December 30 (Week 17) or January 5 (Week 18) are likely dates for his return.

Kalif Raymond – left foot, November 24

The Lions’ primary kick returner and valuable backup WR fortunately avoided a serious foot injury. He is expected to be back at the latest for the start of the playoffs, and is eligible to return with two games left in the regular season on December 30.

“I will see you again. But not yet. Not yet.”

– Juba in Gladiator

It’s unknown whether we will see these players yet again this season due to uncertain severity and prognosis. But they are signed with the Lions for future years, so if they don’t return this season, we should see them in the next.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin – neck, November 3

This special-teams captain and valuable backup LB has an unspecified neck injury. He is eligible to return December 5 (week 14) and is signed through the 2025 season.

Ennis Rakestraw – hamstring, November 22

This 2nd-round rookie has had two hamstring issues this season. The first one in September cost him two games. The second will cost at least four games with the earliest possible return date of December 22 (week 16). He is in the 1st year of his 4-year rookie contract.

“Hope Can Be A Dangerous Thing.”

– Red in The Shawshank Redemption

Ifeatu Melifonwu – ankle, August 17; finger, November 14

After ending last season in spectacular fashion, there was hope that Melifonwu could build on that this year. Unfortunately, multiple prolonged injuries this year made hope for his return a dangerous thing.

After an injury to his ankle area in preseason, there was an uncertain recovery causing a delayed placement on IR. I suspect Achilles tendonitis, given the uncertain recovery timeline.

After he started his practice window in November, he was placed on IR a second time with an unspecified finger injury. The recovery timeline of the finger is unknown, and it’s not even certain that the ankle/Achilles is ready-to-go.

Hope is fading that he can help the team at all this year. The earliest he can return is December 22 (week 16).

“My mama always told me that miracles happen every day. Some people don’t think so, but they do.”

– Forrest in Forrest Gump

These players have long-term injuries with recovery timelines of multiple months. It may take a minor miracle for them to return for the playoffs.

John Cominsky – MCL, July 30

The “Commish” had MCL surgery with an estimated 5-6 month recovery. If the estimate is accurate, he could be back in January. His return would aide both the DT and DE positions as he can effectively play both.

Derrick Barnes – right MCL & PCL, September 22

This hybrid LB/DE had surgery for an MCL and PCL injury. There is still a glimmer of hope he could return late in the playoffs. However, he will need to make fast progress in rehab as he was only just getting on an exercise bike in mid-November.

“Hope is a mistake. If you can’t fix what’s broken, you’ll go insane.”

– Max in Mad Max: Fury Road

For these players, hope for a return this season is a mistake. Their injuries will have been surgically fixed and require a long recovery.

Malcolm Rodriguez – right ACL, November 28

Rodrigo tore his ACL on Thanksgiving. The recovery timeline is around 11 months so hopefully he’ll be back around October next year. Expect him to start training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. He is signed through the 2025 season on his rookie contract.

Marcus Davenport – left elbow, September 22

This free agent was signed to start at DE opposite Hutchinson but only appeared in two games before hurting his left elbow. Scattered reports suggest a triceps rupture and there does not appear to be any possibility he’ll be back this season.

Kyle Peko – left pec rupture, October 13

This valuable backup DT ruptured his pec requiring surgery. Given the importance of pec strength to his position, there is no hope for a return this season.

Mekhi Wingo – right knee, November 28

Dan Campbell stated that this 6th-round rookie DT would be out for the season with an unspecified knee injury that will probably require surgery.

“Welcome to the party, pal!”

– John McClane in Die Hard

Congrats to these players who have battled through long stints on IR to join the active roster party.

Brodric Martin – right knee hyperextension, August 24

This 2nd-year DT played for the first time this season on Thanksgiving with two defensive snaps. With injuries mounting along the defensive line, his workload may spike in the next game.

Emmanuel Moseley – pec rupture, August 5

This 28-year-old CB has recovered from pec surgery, not to mention ACL tears each of the past two years. On November 24, he returned to play 15 special teams snaps vs the Colts. Unexpectedly, he was inactive the next game vs the Bears due to a minor unspecified pregame issue.

And one final quote, for all Lions fans in the midst of this glorious season…

“The unknown future rolls toward us. I face it, for the first time, with a sense of hope.”

– Sarah Connor in Terminator 2

Lions lose LB Malcolm Rodriguez for the season

Lions lose LB Malcolm Rodriguez for the season to a knee injury suffered in Week 13

The Detroit Lions will be without linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez for the rest of the 2024 season and perhaps into the 2025 campaign as well. Rodriguez suffered a torn ACL in the Lions’ Thanksgiving win over the Chicago Bears.

Rodriguez appeared to tear the knee ligament when his knee buckled in a coverage situation against the Bears.

Several reports on Friday indicate Rodriguez tore the ACL, though the Lions have not yet confirmed the injury prognosis. Head coach Dan Campbell noted in his postgame press conference that Rodriguez’s injury appeared more serious than the others suffered on Thanksgiving.

Recovery timelines vary considerably for an ACL, but Rodriguez will be sidelined until at least the start of training camp and perhaps well into the 2025 season, depending on the recovery.

Al-Quadin Muhammad stepped up big in Lions win over Bears

Pressed into action due to injuries, Al-Quadin Muhammad played very well in Detroit’s Thanksgiving win over the Bears

Facing myriad injuries across the defensive front, the Lions desperately needed someone to step up in the Thanksgiving matchup with the Chicago Bears. Al-Quadin Muhammad answered the bell for Detroit.

The veteran defensive lineman played very well in the Lions win, notably in the second half. Filling in for injured Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike–both of whom were lost for the game in the first half–Muhammad offered energy and pass rush presence. Playing 43 snaps, Muhammad registered a sack and seven QB pressures, according to NFL Next Gen Stats from the game.

“I thought Muhammad played big for us,” coach Dan Campbell said after the game. “It was good to get him back in the lineup. He’s a relentless player, gives you all he’s got.”

The sack was Muhammad’s first of the year. He had 6.5 for the Colts in 2023, the only season of his seven-year NFL career where Muhammad was a regular starter. After spending time this season on Detroit’s practice squad, Muhammad could once again be called upon to play significant reps as the Lions’ injuries mount. No. 69 looked ready for more in a strong Thanksgiving performance.