Tag: Detroit Lions

Lions Week 11 injury report: Stafford, 5 others unable to practice on Wednesday

The Detroit Lions open Week 11 with six players unable to practice on Wednesday, including five starters including Matthew Stafford.

The Detroit Lions (3-5-1) are preparing to host the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) in Week 11 and they opened the week with several key players injured. Six Lions’ players were unable to practice on Wednesday, including five starters.

Let’s take a closer look at which Lions’ players are injured, their current participation level, and what their early expectations for the week are.

Not Practicing Wednesday

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
RB Ty Johnson (concussion)
RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
DE Romeo Okwara (groin)

When coach Matt Patricia opened his morning press conference, he declared everyone on this list out — everyone except Stafford.

Any hopes that Stafford would return to today’s practice was quickly squashed when he showed up at practice with no pads or helmet. The timeline for Stafford return is very much up in the air and could linger.

Johnson and Wagner suffered concussions in last week’s game and are currently in the league’s protocol. Either would need to return to the field tomorrow if they want a chance to play this weekend.

Walker and Hand missed all of last week — practices and the game — and their continued absence is not a great sign for their status for the weekend.

Okwara was injured mid-week, listed as questionable heading into the game and was ruled out after pre-game warmups. He now opens the week unable to practice indicating there could be a regression in his healing process.

Limited

LB/S Miles Killebrew (concussion)
NT John Atkins (wrist)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

After suffering a concussion last Thursday in practice, Killebrew was able to return to the field today, suggesting he has passed the first few stages of the league’s protocol. Brain injuries are often difficult to project and he still has hurdles to climb, but pending medical monitoring throughout the week, he could return to the field this weekend.

Atkins’ wrist is a new addition to the injury report, but limited participation is a positive sign. Additionally, last Sunday Atkins saw 35-percent of defensive snaps, well above his typical allotment, further pointing the arrow in a positive direction.

Martin is abdomen is still bothering him but it didn’t prevent him from playing last weekend. With no other punter signed to the roster this week, he appears on track to play against the Cowboys.

Full participants

DT Mike Daniels (foot)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (ankle, thumb)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
WR Danny Amendola (hand)

With Daniels, Robinson and Harrison all injured, every rostered defensive tackle is dealing with some level of injury. The fact that all three are full participants is excellent news, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see Harrison get a rest day on Thursday, as has been the recent routine.

Amendola didn’t seem hampered by the hand injury last game and expectations are he will be good to go again this weekend in a matchup where he could be a major factor.

No longer listed on the injury report

CB Darius Slay (hamstring)
RG Graham Glasgow (back)
LG Joe Dahl (ankle)

All three started last week and played over 90-percent of snaps. This is a great sign for their future availability.

Injured Reserve

DT Kevin Strong (rib)
EDGE Austin Bryant (pectoral)

Strong was placed on IR on Tuesday, ending a very promising rookie season. Despite entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Strong made his mark in training camp, earning a spot on the 53-man roster and seeing the field between 20 and 45-percent of weekly defensive snaps. Expectations are he will take the remaining time this season to heal up and return healthy for next years offseason.

Bryant is now two weeks into his 21-day practice window and the Lions will have to make a decision on his status sometime within the next week. A decision could be made at any time, depending on his health and ability to get up to speed on defense.

Dallas Cowboys injury report

The Cowboys may lose their starting left guard Connor Williams to injury.

Mailbag: What lies ahead for the Detroit Lions?

This week’s Lions Wire mailbag is looking forward to 2020, talking draft, free agency, and potential coaching changes.

The Detroit Lions 2019 season appears to be over, or at least, Lions’ fans think so.

While I try to stay optimistic, I will admit that things aren’t looking pretty. The Lions are down a starting quarterback, lack any depth at running back, and the defense looks to be really struggling. They might not be able to salvage the season, but maybe there will some glimpses of hope for the future.

This week’s mailbag is looking forward to 2020, talking draft, free agency, and potential coaching changes.

What linebackers in the draft or potential free agents fit the Lions’ size and style for next season? — @RICH_K13

I’ll be honest, I’m not too studied up on this year’s draft prospects, so I’ll focus on upcoming free agents.

[Editor’s note: Keep an eye on Ohio State’s Malik Harrison]

If the Lions want to go out and spend some big money on a free agent linebacker, 2020 would be a good time to do it.

One name that stuck out was Shaq Thompson of the Carolina Panthers. The 26-year-old linebacker will hit free agency fresh off of his rookie contract, and though he has stated that he’d like to remain with the Panthers, the appeal a big payday could lure him to a place like Detroit.

As we’ve seen, defensive players want to play for head coach Matt Patricia. Maybe Thompson will feel the same way. He fits the bill for what the Lions want in a linebacker; he can rush the passer, he can drop into coverage, he can make plays on the ball. He would thrive in Patricia’s defense.

Rank the players in order of likelihood to make the 2020 roster: Darius Slay, Sam Martin, Jarrad Davis, Taylor Decker. — @ZugIreland

Tier 1: Slay, Martin, Davis, Decker.

Slay, Martin and Decker are more than likely locked into starting roles heading into next season. Davis has struggled, but it’s far too early to give up on him.

All four will be Lions next season.

How many wins would the Lions have to get to in order for Matt Patricia to get one more year? — @rayray1222

Look, this season hasn’t been pretty, but at this point, any losses the Lions get are more reflective of them losing their starting quarterback, not the coaching.

I think next year will be Patricia’s make-or-break season. I could see a mid-season firing if his 2020 campaign has a rough start.

Chances of us drafting a QB like Jalen Hurts in this upcoming draft? Is it time to start looking at Stafford’s successor? — @TheBlackPH30N1X

I don’t think Detroit will be moving on from Stafford any time soon. But, like general manager Bob Quinn said, drafting quarterbacks is ‘good football business’.

Especially after looking at the most recent game against Chicago, I do think the Lions should invest some of their day 2 draft capital on a backup quarterback.

Grooming a quarterback behind Stafford for the next few seasons would be a smart move by Quinn. We saw how bad things are when we don’t have our starter.

I’m currently looking at Utah State’s Jordan Love. I see a lot of Stafford’s game in him, so he’d be my perfect draft prospect for Detroit.

Who are the most eligible candidates for defensive coordinator if the Lions move on from Paul Pasquiloni? — @ZugIreland

One name that I like right now is Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard.

Known for helping put together Seattle’s Legion of Boom, I think Richard could do a lot to help Detroit’s defense. This team has big holes at both cornerback and safety heading into next season, and a guy like Richard would be a valuable asset come draft time.

He served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017, so he’d be reuniting with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as well.

Who do you think the Lions should draft with their number-one draft pick this coming April? — @B_Lake007

The Lions may be drafting top-ten, but definitely not number one.

I’d go linebacker or defensive end if I were Bob Quinn. As I said earlier, I’m not caught up on this year’s top prospects, so ask again in March.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions this week!

Be sure to get those questions in next week, and give me a follow while you’re at it, on Twitter @maxgerbs.

How many more games will Broncos win this season?

The Denver Broncos are sitting at 3-6 following their bye week. How many more games will they win?

The Denver Broncos are ready to return from their bye week and sit at 3-6 heading into the second half of their 2019 season. Fans are still riding high after a win over the Cleveland Browns, which featured a new quarterback in Brandon Allen.

Several questions remain for the rest of this season, including how many more games the team will win. But before we get into that part, let’s look at some of the other key questions.

How much longer should Allen hold onto the starting job? Much of that answer likely lies within what the team decides to do with Drew Lock. Will the second-round pick play at all this season?

Will the offensive line, specifically Garett Bolles, ever start to play at a consistent level, or will this unit again be one of the big question marks going into next season?

When are the quarterback and offensive line spots not going to be big question marks for this team? How many games can the team win with those question marks the rest of this season?

Going over the team’s remaining schedule, we attempt to answer that final question.

Week 11 at Minnesota Vikings

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Despite the Broncos being well-rested coming off the bye week, they have to travel to Minnesota to face a surging Vikings team.

Minnesota has a stout rushing attack and a good defense. This looks and feels like an unlikely win for the Broncos.

Prediction: Vikings 24, Broncos 13

Record: 3-7

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Former Longhorn Malik Jefferson waived by Cleveland Browns

Former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson was waived by the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday

On Tuesday, former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson was waived by the Cleveland Browns.

Jefferson is in just his second year as a pro. He was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

With the Browns in 2019, Jefferson only made an appearance in one game, and that game came in week one against the Titans. In that game, Jefferson recorded just one tackle.

Hopefully, we see Malik find a new home soon. After all, he was a third-round pick last year for a reason.

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NFL announces date, time and TV channel for Broncos’ game vs. Lions

The NFL has announced the date, time and television channel for the Broncos’ Week 16 game against the Lions.

When the NFL announced the Denver Broncos‘ 2019 schedule in April, the date, time and television channel for the team’s Week 16 showdown with the Detroit Lions was listed as “to be determined.”

Four other games that week — Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders — were also listed as TBD.

The NFL wanted to wait and see how those teams started the season before deciding which games would be nationally televised on NFL Network on Saturday and which games would air on CBS on Sunday.

The league announced finalized dates, times and channels Tuesday.

After Denver started 3-6 and Detriot started 3-5-1, their showdown has been scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2:05 p.m. MT on CBS. So unless the Broncos are flexed into “Sunday Night Football” between Weeks 13-15 or in Week 17, all of the team’s seven remaining games will air on CBS.

Houston (6-3) at Tampa Bay (3-6) will air on NFL Network on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11:00 a.m. MT. Buffalo (6-3) at New England (8-1) will also air on NFLN on Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. MT and the Rams (5-4) at San Francisco (8-1) will air on NFLN that same day at 6:15 p.m. MT.

Oakland (5-4) against the Chargers (4-6) will air on CBS on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2:05 p.m. MT, the same time as the Denver-Detriot contest.

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WATCH: Quandre Diggs gets first interception with Seahawks

Watch as Seattle Seahawks defensive back Quandre Diggs gets his first interception with his new team

A few weeks ago, former Texas Longhorn defensive back Quandre Diggs was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Seattle Seahawks. Last night, Diggs saw his first action with Seattle in a clash between the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers went into this Monday Night Football matchup as the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. The Seahawks were able to stun the 49ers in San Francisco, winning in overtime by a score of 27-24.

About midway through the 3rd quarter, Diggs was able to intercept 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with the score being 10-7 in favor of San Francisco. This interception led to a Seahawks touchdown, giving them the lead.

On the night, Diggs was able to tally two tackles, one of which was solo, a pass defense, and this interception.

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NFL announces Lions at Broncos will be on Sunday December 22nd

When the Detroit Lions 2019 regular season schedule was announced there was once curious date omitted: their Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos was scheduled as to be determined. Today, we know that matchup will take place on Sunday, December 22nd, 2019.

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When the Detroit Lions 2019 regular season schedule was announced there was once curious date omitted: their Week 16 matchup with the Denver Broncos was scheduled as to be determined.

Today, we know that matchup will take place on Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 at 4:05 PM, EST on CBS.

With the Lions record sitting at 3-5-1 and the Broncos at 3-6, it’s no surprise that the NFL elected to keep the game on the regular Sunday schedule rather than flex it to the national stage on Saturday.

Further adding to the list of reasons this game is not being flexed, is the starting quarterback situation of both teams — as a Jeff Driskel vs Brandon Allen (maybe Drew Lock) matchup isn’t made for primetime.

The Broncos have placed their starter Joe Flacco on injured reserve, while second-round pick (42nd overall) Lock is ready to start practicing again and may return from injured reserve in the next few weeks. Currently, the Broncos are starting Allen (undrafted free agent in 2016 out of Arkansas) at quarterback.

Meanwhile, the Lions are in the middle of deciding what to do with Matthew Stafford after it was discovered that he has a fractured bone in his back. Stafford’s injury isn’t expected to be longterm, just painful, but with his history of back injuries and the team all but eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, it’s fair to speculate if they will shut him down for the season.

Lions claim OT Dan Skipper off waivers, place DT Kevin Strong on IR

The Detroit Lions have claimed offensive tackle Dan Skipper off of waivers from the Houston Texans and placed rising defensive tackle Kevin Strong on injured reserve.

The Detroit Lions have claimed offensive tackle Dan Skipper off of waivers from the Houston Texans and placed rising young defensive tackle Kevin Strong on injured reserve.

This is Skipper’s second stint with the Lions, in what has been a long journey through five NFL teams over the last four years.

He originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas in 2017, signing with the Dallas Cowboys and beginning that season on their practice squad. He was released after just a few weeks but was immediately picked up by the Lions and signed to their practice squad.

After a month on the Lions practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster. He only spent one game on the 53-man roster before returning to the practice squad, where he would finish the season. Skipper signed a futures contract with the team in 2018 but was released after training camp cut downs, and would eventually join the Denver Broncos practice squad.

After the 2018 season, the New England Patriots added him to their practice squad for their Super Bowl run. He would stay with the Patriots through the offseason, but once again was released at roster cuts, eventually signing to their practice squad.

The Houston Texans signed Skipper to their 53-man roster off the Patriots practice squad, where he played three games for them this season in Week’s 7, 8 and 9. Yesterday, Skipper was waived by the Texans and the Lions used a waiver claim to add him to their active roster.

Big (6-10, 309-pounds) but light on his feet (see video below), Skipper has the frame to be a mauling right tackle in the NFL.

With Rick Wagner in concussion protocol, the Lions only had two healthy offensive tackles on their active roster — Taylor Decker and Tyrell Crosby — and needed an experienced body to fill out depth. Swing guard Kenny Wiggins has some experience at right tackle, but the Lions have a plan for him on the interior, and practice squad tackle Matt Nelson is not NFL ready as he is still adjusting to the position after playing defensive end last season. Skipper offers the team some flexibility.

Defensive Line gets weaker with loss of Strong

Losing Strong for the season is a bigger blow than it appears on the surface as he has completely outplayed his original season projection as an undrafted free agent — only four short weeks ago, Strong was the Lions best defender in Week 7 per PFF grades.

With Damon Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, Da’Shawn Hand and Mike Daniels all dealing with injuries, John Atkins is the Lions only remaining defensive lineman without a current ailment.

Was benching TE Adam Shaheen was the right move for Bears?

The Bears benched TE Adam Shaheen for Sunday’s game against the Lions, and it appears that he’s in Chicago’s doghouse.

Prior to the start of Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears made some moves on the offensive side of the ball.

Not only did they decide to switch Cody Whitehair back to center and James Daniels back to left guard, but they opted to make a change at tight end by benching tight end Adam Shaheen, who was inactive as a healthy scratch.

“We want all of our players to be able to be completely detailed and play hard and do everything they can to be the best player they can be,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said Monday.

While Shaheen was a healthy scratch in Week 10, don’t expect an immediate return to the lineup Sunday against the Rams.

“We’re still working through all of that,” Nagy said.

Reserve tight end Ben Braunecker seemed to have more success in one game than Shaheen and Trey Burton have had all season. Braunecker caught his first career touchdown pass — an 18-yard reception from Mitchell Trubisky in the waning minutes of the first half to give the Bears a 7-6 lead. It was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Expect to see more of Braunecker moving forward as he’s a better receiver than Shaheen and a better blocker than Burton. The Bears have also utilized tight end J.P. Holtz in their offense, especially as a fullback.

Much has been made about the performance of Bears tight ends this season, and rightfully so. They haven’t been productive in this unit, but then again, who has? Chicago’s offense has struggled mightily in its first eight games, and they seemed to get a glimpse of a spark at the end of the first half leading into the third quarter.

Shaheen, a former second-round draft pick, has been ineffective and costly at times. His special teams fumble on the final play of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles ended any hope of a last-second miracle comeback by the Bears offense.

But even when Shaheen is on offense, he hasn’t done a whole lot. He has just nine receptions for 74 yards this season.

Matt Nagy seemed to send a message to his team by benching Shaheen and switching a struggling Daniels back to left guard: Do your job or we’ll find someone that will.

Shaheen’s benching and the switch on the offensive line likely won’t be the last changes we see on this Bears offense moving forward in the final seven games of the season if the struggles continue.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Lions drop to bottom third of the NFL

The Lions (3-5-1) continue to fall in NFL Power Rankings, the loss of quarterback Matthew Stafford surely impacted their status in Week 11.

The Lions (3-5-1) continue to fall in NFL Power Rankings and the loss of quarterback Matthew Stafford surely impacted their status in Week 11 more than the loss to the Bears did.

Let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in the national eye.

USA Today: 27 (Previous: 18)

“Is Kenny Golladay most dangerous deep threat we don’t discuss? Back to those Next Gen Stats, no player averages more targeted air yards than his 16.5.” — Nate Davis

Touchdown Wire: 23 (Previous: 20)

“It’s going to be easy to blame Matthew Stafford’s back injury for Detroit’s 20-13 loss to the Bears, as Stafford had to sit while backup Jeff Driskel took the field. But Driskel wasn’t horrible; he completed 27 passes in 46 attempts for 269 yards, with one touchdown and one interception against one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses. When assigning blame for this loss, and for the collapse that has seen the Lions lose five of their past six games, one must look squarely at a defense that allowed four touchdowns to Oakland rookies in Week 9 and followed that up by making things all too easy for Mitchell Trubisky on his three touchdown passes. This looked like one of the NFL’s better pass defenses at times early in the season, but that narrative has completely fallen apart. Per Pro Football Focus, Detroit’s secondary has allowed 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions this season. No team is going to win that way consistently, no matter who their quarterback is.” — Doug Farrar

NFL: 24 (Previous: 19)

“Here’s a hot take: The Lions really need Matthew Stafford. The quarterback, whose iron-man starting streak ended on Sunday due to a back injury, was sorely missed in a loss to the Bears that put Detroit’s playoff hopes on life support. Jeff Driskel stepped in for Stafford and had a few moments — his best being a pretty, 47-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay that gave the Lions a spark in the fourth quarter — but this simply isn’t a balanced enough team to survive the absence of its best player. The typically overmatched Lions defense started off well, holding the Bears to just 20 yards on four fruitless drives to start the game. But Mitch Trubisky threw touchdown passes in the next three Bears possessions, putting Detroit in a 20-6 hole that was simply too deep with Stafford on the sideline. Now we wait to see how long the quarterback has to stay there.” — Dan Hanzus

ESPN: 21 (Previous: 18)

“Most important game left: Sunday vs. Cowboys. It’s cliché to say the next game is the most important because it’s the next one, but based on what’s happening with the Lions, it really is. Detroit has lost five of six games. Its defense doesn’t appear to be improving, and its offense might or might not have Matthew Stafford. The Lions get the Cowboys at home, and if they can’t beat Dallas, their season will be all but over considering the state of the NFC and that of the NFC North.” — Michael Rothstein

CBS Sports: 23 (Previous 20)

“If Matt Stafford is out for a while they are done. They are probably done anyway.” — Pete Prisco

Sports Illustrated: 24 (Previous: 16)

“Matthew Stafford has been this team’s most important player since Megatron pulled the plug, and predictably the Lions couldn’t squeeze enough out of Jeff Driskel to take advantage of two late fourth quarter drives. Detroit has underdelivered on the early season promise they flashed in those tight losses to the Chiefs and Packers.” — MMQB staff

Sporting News: 22 (Previous: 18)

“The Lions did their best to hang with the Bears, with Jeff Driskel doing his best Matthew Stafford impression at times. But the injury-related uncertainty of their usually durable leader during his best NFL season has to be a big emotional blow.” — Vinnie Iyer