After a quiet showing in Week 1, will the rookies of the Detroit Lions be able to make an impact versus the Green Bay Packers?
The Lions have announced several roster moves and have had more than their fair share of injuries since the season began, leaving an opportunity for some members of their 2020 rookie class to make an impact.
Here’s what to expect from Detroit’s rookies this week against the Packers:
CB Jeff Okudah
Okudah missed the first game of the season due to a hamstring injury but will make his NFL debut today against Green Bay as he was a full participant in practices all week.
The third-overall pick from this year’s draft will likely start on defense opposite Amani Oruwariye while Desmond Trufant recovers from a hamstring injury.
It’s hard to know what to expect from the rookie cornerback, as we haven’t been able to see much of him in training camp or practice due to his injury, but there is a reason he was regarded as the best defensive back in this year’s draft. Hopefully, his college production will translate quickly to the pros.
RB D’Andre Swift
After a heartbreaking debut against the Bears, Swift will be determined to bounce back in Week 2.
The rookie running back wasn’t utilized much on offense last week — only getting six touches — and was the third back off the bench behind both Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson. Despite all that, he did prove that he can be of value to the team both in the passing game and two-minute offense.
Expect his role to remain the same this week.
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RG Jonah Jackson
Jackson was the Lions’ starting right guard last week, playing 90-percent of snaps on offense, and will reprise that role again this week.
His debut wasn’t perfect as he committed one false start penalty and was credited with allowing one sack from Bears’ defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. This week, he’ll have to brush off those rookie mistakes and prepare to face off against Green Bay’s elite pass rush.
JACK Julian Okwara
The younger Okwara brother had a near-silent game against Chicago, with just seven snaps on defense. He isn’t expected to contribute much on defense beyond a situational pass-rushing role but should see a lot of time on special teams.
OL Logan Stenberg
Despite a change-up to the starting offensive line this week, Stenberg likely won’t make his debut as a Lion today. He was a game-day inactive in Week 1, and is still sitting behind Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins on the depth chart.
WR Quintez Cephus
Judging by the way he was utilized on offense last week, it’s clear that the Lions front office has confidence in the rookie fifth-round pick. In fact, he was the most-targeted receiver out of all rookies in the league. But despite having ten passes thrown his way, he was only to come away with three receptions.
With Kenny Golladay out again this week, expect Cephus to get the nod as a starter alongside Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola.
NT John Penisini
Though he didn’t see the field much in Week 1, Penisini may have more of an opportunity against the Packers. With starting defensive tackle Nick Williams designated out due to injury, the rookie out of Utah will likely split his snaps with Kevin Strong, who was called up from the practice squad and serves as the only other backup defensive tackle on the roster.
Both will still sit behind Da’Shawn Hand and Danny Shelton on the depth chart, but the chance of earning more defensive snaps has gone up this week.
TE Hunter Bryant
Bryant has been ruled out for the second week in a row due to a lingering hamstring injury.