Lions close to setting the record for sacks by rookies in a season

The Lions enter the finale one sack away from breaking the record set by the 1999 Titans

When the Detroit Lions drafted three pass rushers in the 2022 NFL draft, it was a sign the team was looking to add a lot more oomph to the defense. Mission accomplished.

Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal and James Houston have all made impacts as rookies. That was never more evident than in the Lions’ Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears. Houston, the team’s sixth-round pick, sacked Justin Fields three times. Paschal, a second-round pick, added two sacks of his own. Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick, chipped in a half-sack and an interception.

The eruption against the Bears pushed the Lions to the precipice of NFL history. Detroit’s rookie class has combined to produce 18.5 sacks, which is just a half-sack away from setting the record for the most sacks from rookies in a season.

Houston leads all rookies with eight sacks and has posted that gaudy total in just six games. He seized the lead from Hutchinson, who has 7.5. Paschal contributed two sacks in nine games, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has one sack of his own.

That leaves Detroit just a half-sack behind the 1999 Tennessee Titans for the most sacks by a rookie class since the NFL started keeping sacks as an official stat in 1983. Those Titans got 14.5 from rookie of the year Jevon Kearse and 4.5 from second-round DT John Thornton. That Titans team wound up winning the AFC Championship.

Detroit plays Green Bay in Week 18. In the first meeting, the Lions sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers just once, a clean-up sack by second-year LB Derrick Barnes.

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Lions rookie report: Jameson Williams scores on first career catch

Lions rookie report: Jameson Williams scores on first career catch to lead Detroit’s draft class in win over Minnesota

The Detroit Lions are for real, and they owe a big thanks to their rookie class for helping them best the Minnesota Vikings 34-23.

The biggest news of the day came early on, with first-round pick Jameson Williams recording his first career reception.

Williams was activated from the Reserve/Non-football Injury list for last week’s game against Jacksonville, but only took eight snaps on offense. He was targeted once but the pass was short.

Expectations were much higher for Williams going into this game, and he delivered almost immediately.

On the second play of the Lions’ second drive of offense, Jared Goff hit Williams on a 41-yard touchdown. Williams’ speed was on full display, as he even had to slow down and turn around to catch the pass. What was most impressive is that none of the members of Minnesota’s secondary were remotely close to covering him.

The rest of the game wasn’t as spectacular for the rookie. He was targeted once more and dropped the pass. Other than that, his snaps were limited. He did do a good job of drawing away defenders on the Justin Jackson touchdown run, as Minnesota had two defenders ready to defend him instead.

The other rookies of Detroit’s 2022 class also made their fair share of contributions to this big win.

Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston continue to make history as a duo of rookie pass rushers. Each of them recorded a sack in the last two games and are currently the first and second sack leaders of this rookie class.

Rookie safety Kerby Joseph was given the impossible task of covering Justin Jefferson. While he wasn’t lined up directly on him, he did have to cover the deep middle of the field and struggled to prevent Jefferson from making plays. At the same time, he did not have the cornerback help he usually gets there.

Joseph had five total tackles on the day and came through in a big way after recovering a goal-line fumble forced by Isaiah Buggs.

Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez also had five tackles in this game, one of which went for a loss of yardage. The rookie has been instrumental for Detroit’s run defense this season.

Rookies James Mitchell and Josh Paschal were both active and took snaps, but were not able to make impacts in the same way their fellow first-year players did.

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Lions first injury update for Week 12 has 6 players sitting out

6 players sat out of Monday’s walkthrough with injuries, including two starting offensive linemen

It’s a short week before Thursday’s Thanksgiving matinee for the Detroit Lions. With the Buffalo Bills coming to town in just three days, the Lions are only holding walkthroughs instead of full practices this week.

Even with the reduced impact session, there were still six Lions who sat out Monday’s practice session with injuries.

  • RG Evan Brown (ankle)
  • DE Charles Harris (groin)
  • CB Jeff Okudah (concussion)
  • DE Josh Paschal (knee)
  • C Frank Ragnow (foot)
  • WR Josh Reynolds (back)

Okudah will not be able to advance through the concussion protocol in time to play on Thursday.

Brown left the win over the Giants with the ankle injury. He was replaced by Dan Skipper, who figures to be next in line if Brown can’t play against Buffalo. Ragnow has been battling through his foot and toe injury all season.

Wide receiver DJ Chark was listed as questionable with his knee injury. Chark played 11 snaps in his first game since Week 3.

Two other players, RB D’Andre Swift and LB Malcolm Rodriguez, were noted for their injuries but designated full participants.

Rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams did participate in his first practice with the team, a definite positive. Williams has yet to be activated from the non-football injury list so he is not listed on the report.

Update--make it seven Lions who sat out. Left guard Jonah Jackson was added to the non-participant list with an undisclosed illness.

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Stud and Duds from the Lions Week 11 romp over the Giants

Here are this week’s Studs and Duds for Detroit Lions beating the New York Giants 31-18, bringing their winning streak to three.

Oh, the tables have turned for the Detroit Lions! After their 31-18 victory over the New York Giants, the Lions now have a three-game winning streak and are creeping into the playoff picture.

The defense looks completely different than what they were showing earlier in the season, coming up big in critical moments while creating turnovers in the process. The young core continues to build upon their incredible season, giving the Lions much hope heading into the future. Even though the offense may not look sexy, they continue to make the necessary plays to put the Lions ahead. If the Lions continue playing complementary football, they could be heading for greener pastures.

Even though some of the players may not have had the game they wanted, the Lions were able to overcome with solid contributions from key players to put them ahead of the Giants this week.

Lions inactive players vs. Bears: Malcolm Rodriguez will not play

Malcolm Rodriguez will not play vs. the Bears with his elbow injury

The Detroit Lions inactive player list for Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the Chicago Bears didn’t have many surprises. But the one notable name who won’t play is a big one.

Rookie linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez will miss the game with his elbow injury. Rodriguez was listed as questionable for the game after hyperextending the elbow in the Week 9 win over the Green Bay Packers.

The other players sitting out are all generally expected:

DE Michael Brockers

DE Austin Bryant

CB Chase Lucas

S Ifeatu Melifonwu

OT Matt Nelson

WR Josh Reynolds

Reynolds was ruled out on Friday’s final injury report. Lucas, Nelson and Melifonwu were all questionable on that report.

Lions practice report: Ragnow back at full speed, Chase Lucas returns

Only one player, WR Josh Reynolds, was completely out with an injury

Thursday’s Detroit Lions practice participation report featured some pleasant news for once. The Lions are getting healthier as they approach the Week 10 matchup in Chicago with the Bears.

Only one player, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, was ruled out due to injury. Reynolds continues to be sidelined with a back issue that kept him out of Week 9 and limited his ability in the prior couple of games as well.

Rookie cornerback Chase Lucas practiced as a limited participant. It’s the first we’ve seen any action from Lucas in weeks. The seventh-round rookie has been out with an ankle injury.

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Also trending up is center Frank Ragnow. No. 77 was limited on Wednesday but a full participant on Thursday with his foot injury. Safety Kerby Joseph was once again limited as he works through the concussion protocol. Fellow rookie Malcolm Rodriguez was also limited with an elbow injury the LB suffered in Sunday’s win over Green Bay.

The full report from the Lions:

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5 Lions players to watch against the Bears

Here are the players on the Detroit Lions we’ll be keeping an eye on when they face the Bears on Sunday.

The Chicago Bears welcome the Detroit Lions to Soldier Field this weekend in the first of their two divisional matchups this season. The Bears (3-6) have dropped two straight games, despite having one of the hottest offenses in the league, led by quarterback Justin Fields.

The Lions (2-6), meanwhile, snapped their five-game skid when they defeated the Green Bay Packers last weekend and are looking to jump the Bears in the divisional standings. In order to do that, they’ll need superb performances out of these five players, who we’re keeping an eye on when the game begins on Sunday.

Lions injury update: Just two players out to start Week 10 practices

The Lions begin Week 10 practices with only 2 players sitting out and 7 limited in practice, including Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez

The first Detroit Lions injury report for the Week 10 meeting with the Chicago Bears is the lightest list we’ve seen from Detroit in some time.

The only two players who did not practice at all due to injury are rookie CB Chase Lucas and vet WR Josh Reynolds. Lucas continues to be sidelined with an ankle issue, while Reynolds sits out with a back injury. Both players missed Week 9’s matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Running back Jamaal Williams was given a veteran’s rest day.

Seven other players were limited. Most notable amongst that group is safety Kerby Joseph. The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week was active in a non-contact jersey as part of the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Wednesday also marked a return to practice for safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who has not practiced since injuring his ankle in Week 5. Melifonwu has been able to be on the field for just 18 snaps all season.

The full list of limited participants:

  • S Kerby Joseph (concussion)
  • S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle)
  • OT Matt Nelson (calf)
  • CB AJ Parker (hip)
  • C Frank Ragnow (foot)
  • LB Malcolm Rodriguez (elbow)
  • RB D’Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder)

Notably missing from that list is left tackle Taylor Decker, who has been bothered by groin and back injuries recently. Running back Craig Reynolds was placed on IR with rib injuries, so he does not appear on the list.

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Lions PFF Grades: Young core graded high in victory over Packers

The Detroit Lions relied on their young core to bring them home against the Green Bay Packers and PFF grades reflect the strong performances

Individuals are always looking for immediate success and instant gratification, so patience surrounding the Detroit Lions rebuild has come with some frustration and turmoil, considering how the last few weeks have gone. However, even though it was only one win, this one seemed different when the Lions defeated their division rival, the Green Bay Packers, to a tune of 15-9 with the help of one of their defensive performances in some time.

The most fulfilling part of the whole endeavor was seeing the young guns blooming right in front of our eyes. With how the team is built, the Lions have to rely on a slew of young players, and, at times, they make questionable mistakes, but with the right guidance and coaching, they perform admirably, and that was what was shown against the Packers. If they continue their trajectory, the sky is the limit for the Lions young core.

As such, this week’s PFF grades have many of their young players sitting right on top, assuring that what we saw was not just a mirage.

 

Dan Campbell ‘not sure’ if rookie LB Malcolm Rodriguez will miss time with his elbow injury

Rodriguez left the win over the Packers with an arm injury and could miss some time

Lions rookie linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez suffered an elbow injury in Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers. It’s an injury that could keep the talented rookie off the field for a little bit.

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell was asked about “Rodrigo” and his injury status in his Monday press conference.

“Yeah, we’re finding that out right now,” Campbell told the media. “He’s able to go back in and do a little bit. But I know he irritated it. We’ll see where he feels over the next few days.”

When Campbell was asked if the injury could sideline Rodriguez for some time, the head coach gave a simple answer,

“Not sure.”

Rodriguez played just 19 snaps in the game. Replacement Derrick Barnes turned in the best performance of his career in his place.

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