Tag: Pat O’Connor

Lions vs Commanders: Final injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Commanders: Initial injury report medical analysis for Washington and Detroit ahead of the NFC Divisional Round game

The Lions first playoff game is upon us as the Commanders march into town. The final practice injury report is today (Thursday) due to the game being on Saturday. There were no big upgrades/downgrades during the week for the Lions.

The Commanders report is long but most players on the report are in. The two questionables coming out of the last game (Daron Payne, Bobby Wagner) are set to play but may have some limitations due to their injuries.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions

If the Lions win on Saturday, the practice window watch can start for the two remaining hopefuls on IR – Aidan Hutchinson and Carlton Davis. I go into more detail below.

(Abbreviations: UL=unlisted, NP=no practice, LP=limited practice, FP=full practice)

DETROIT LIONS

 

Out: Kevin Zeitler, RG – hamstring (NP NP NP)

A hamstring strain will cost this starting RG at least one playoff game. Hamstrings benefit from a gradual ramp-up to avoid aggravation, so the lack of any practice this week puts next week in doubt also. Expect 6th-round rookie Christian Mahogany, who has performed well in limited action, to start at RG.

Out: Pat O’Connor, DT – calf (NP NP NP)

A likely calf strain during the last game will cost O’Connor at least one game. Like with Zeitler, the full week of NP is not a positive sign for the following week. He has been playing around 50% of defensive snaps in the latter part of the season along the depleted defensive line.

Questionable: Ennis Rakestraw, CB – hamstring/illness (NP NP LP)

Rakestraw opened his practice window last week on January 9 after 7 weeks on IR. The limited practice time this week is likely related to the illness but I can’t say for sure.

Rakestraw’s role is on special teams unless there are further injuries to the CB position. With Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, and Kindle Vildor healthy, the Lions likely will decide to give Rakestraw another week.

IN: David Montgomery, RB – knee (FP FP FP)

Knuckles returns in 5 weeks from his MCL sprain and possibly more.

I don’t expect any limitations to his snap count based on how the Lions have handled players in their first game back such as Jahmyr Gibbs with his hamstring last year (87% snaps), Montgomery himself with his ribs last year (38%), and Alex Anzalone with his forearm last week (98%).

Prior to his injury, Montgomery was logging around 30-50% of snaps and I would anticipate him in the range of 30% for this game given Gibbs recent high production.

IN: Terrion Arnold, CB – foot (FP FP FP)

After a worrisome-looking foot injury last game, the outcome is excellent as he won’t even miss a game. His health is important to a secondary that is missing Carlton Davis.

In: Taylor Decker OT – personal (UL NP FP)

Congrats to Taylor Decker and family for welcoming their second child to the world.

IR LIST STATUS UPDATE

Aidan Hutchinson – left tib/fib fracture, Oct 13

With only 3 weeks left until the Super Bowl, Hutchinson’s 21-day practice window may open early next week regardless of his chances to play in the big game. The bone has likely been healed for multiple weeks now, so his return is dependent on the rehab of the soft tissues. Getting him on the practice field would just be part of his rehab.

Dan Campbell has not expressed optimism regarding his return recently but did not rule it out. I continue to expect limited action in the Super Bowl for Hutchinson.

He is in the 3rd year of his 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.

Carlton Davis – jaw fracture, Dec 15

Dan Campbell stated two weeks ago not to expect Davis back. I’m still holding onto a glimmer of hope that he might return for the Super Bowl.

The practice window situation for Davis is a bit different than Hutchinson’s as the jaw fracture may not be healed yet. Even if Davis can play in the Super Bowl, he may not have his window opened next week. If his window does open, he could potentially play immediately as his legs are unaffected – same as what we saw with Alex Anzalone.

Davis is an unrestricted free agent after this year.

Not expected to return

  • Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • John Cominsky, MCL surgery – Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
  • Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
  • Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Kyle Peko, left pec rupture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Mekhi Wingo, unspecified right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.
  • Emmanuel Moseley, illness – Placed on NFI after appearing in only 2 games following his pec rupture.

IR return count (8 of 10 used)

  • Lions have returned Rakestraw, Anzalone, Raymond, Brodric Martin, Moseley, Reeves-Maybin, and Ifeatu Melifonwu twice.
  • Hutchinson and Davis will take the last 2 returns if they can get healthy enough.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

In: Daron Payne DT, finger (LP LP FP)

Payne hurt his thumb during the last game and posted the XR which showed a likely dorsal dislocation of his thumb MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joint.

He’s going to play likely with a splint which will affect his ability to grab with that hand.

Payne is an important player along the defensive line logging around 70-80% of snaps this year with 4 sacks and 42 total tackles.

In: Bobby Wagner LB, ankle (NP NP LP)

On video, Wagner suffered a left high ankle sprain or medial ankle sprain after a teammate crashed into him from the side on the penultimate defensive play of the game. He is going to play but the ankle injury could limit his effectiveness.

 

Out: Jordan Magee LB, hamstring (NP NP NP)

Magee has played minimal snaps on defense this year and is mostly a special teams contributor.

Questionable: Mykal Walker LB, illness (UL UL NP)

Walker is mainly a special teams player.

Questionable: Colson Yankoff TE, hamstring (FP FP FP)

This rookie TE has not played in the last 11 games.

The following players are all in:

Zane Gonzalez K, hip

Gonzalez went to the bank for the game-winning field goal in the 1st-round of the playoffs. Detroit banks are planning to close early on Saturday.

Ben Sinnott TE, shoulder

Jamison Crowder WR, hamstring/rest

Zach Ertz TE, rib/rest

Clelin Ferrell DE, knee/rest

John Bates TE, shoulder

Dominique Hampton LB, back

Marshon Lattimore CB, hamstring

Frankie Luvu LB, shoulder

Brandon Coleman OT, shoulder

KJ Osborn WR, finger

Lions vs Commanders: Initial injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Commanders: Initial injury report medical analysis for Washington and Detroit ahead of the NFC Divisional Round game

For the Lions, there was good news and bad news on the initial injury report. David Montgomery and Terrion Arnold are looking ready to go on Saturday, while Kevin Zeitler, Ennis Rakestraw, and Pat O’Connor will need to trend sharply upwards this week in order to have a chance.

The Commanders have a lengthy report but most players are either FP’s or NP’s due to rest. The most significant injury I saw in their first playoff game was Daron Payne’s finger and there is good news for the Commanders on this initial report.

(Abbreviations: UL=unlisted, NP=no practice, LP=limited practice, FP=full practice)

DETROIT LIONS

(walkthrough only)

David Montgomery, RB – knee (FP)

Excellent news for Montgomery with an FP on the initial report after missing 4 weeks due to at least an MCL injury. The FP means he’ll be playing on Saturday.

I don’t expect there to be any limitations to his snap count based on how the Lions have handled players in their first game back such as Jahmyr Gibbs with his hamstring last year (87% snaps), Montgomery himself with his ribs last year (38%), and Alex Anzalone with his forearm last week (98%).

Prior to his injury, Montgomery was logging around 30-50% of snaps and I would anticipate him in the range of 30% for this game given Gibbs recent high production.

Terrion Arnold, CB – foot (FP)

The FP confirms the positive early signs following the right foot injury last game which was reported as a contusion. He’ll be available Saturday which is very important to a secondary that is missing Carlton Davis.

Kevin Zeitler, RG – hamstring (NP)

Video suggested a concerning right hamstring strain and today’s NP corroborates the concern. Hamstrings benefit from a gradual ramp-up to avoid aggravation, so hopefully he can get up to an LP tomorrow and an FP the next day. If not, he may miss the game.

Expect Christian Mahogany, who has played well this year, to take his place if necessary.

Pat O’Connor, DT – calf (NP)

Dan Campbell last week expressed pessimism regarding his injury and the NP today confirms the feeling. I would not expect him to be available vs the Commanders. This would be a big loss as he’s been playing around 50% of defensive snaps in the latter part of the season.

Ennis Rakestraw, CB – hamstring/illness (NP)

Rakestraw opened his practice window last week on January 9 after 7 weeks on IR. I’m suspecting the NP today to be related to his illness and not the hamstring. If the illness resolves quickly and he can get up to an FP later this week, he might be available for the game.

With Arnold healthy, Rakestraw’s main role will be on special teams.

Notables

Levi Onwuzurike, who had his right ankle wrapped last game and was helped off once, is absent from the report.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

(walkthrough only)

Daron Payne DT, finger (LP)

Payne hurt his thumb during the last game and posted the XR post-game which showed a likely dorsal dislocation of his thumb MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joint. The LP today is a strong sign that he will play on Saturday. However, he’ll likely be wearing a splint which will affect his ability to grab with that hand.

Payne is an important player along the defensive line logging around 70-80% of snaps this year with 4 sacks and 42 total tackles.

Bobby Wagner LB, ankle (NP)

Wagner has played 100% of snaps in each of the past 11 games and I’m suspecting that will continue on Saturday despite today’s NP.

Jordan Magee LB, hamstring (NP)

Magee has played minimal snaps on defense this year and is mostly a special teams contributor.

Zane Gonzalez K, hip (LP)

Gonzalez successfully banked in the game-winning field goal in the 1st-round of the playoffs. The Ford Field posts may not be so kind.

Ben Sinnott TE, shoulder (LP)

Sinnott is a part-time player on offense who has 5 receptions on the year. He has been under 10 offensive snaps in the past four games.

Jamison Crowder WR, hamstring/rest (NP)

Zach Ertz TE, rest (NP)

Clelin Ferrell DE, knee/rest (NP)

Dante Fowler LB, rest (NP)

John Bates TE, shoulder (FP)

Dominique Hampton LB, back (FP)

Marshon Lattimore CB, hamstring (FP)

Frankie Luvu LB, shoulder (FP)

Colson Yankoff TE, hamstring (FP)

Lions post-bye Monday medical update leading up to playoff game vs Commanders

Lions post-bye Monday medical update leading up to playoff game vs Commanders, with notes on Montgomery, Zeitler, Arnold and more

After enjoying a stress-free weekend of playoff football, the intensity dramatically ramps up this week as the Washington Commanders prepare to invade Detroit on Saturday night.

Let’s take a look at the injured Lions who might be available for the team’s first playoff game, as well as what to look for on the initial practice report.

LIKELY TO PLAY

David Montgomery – right MCL, December 15

Montgomery is likely to play on Saturday night which will be 5 weeks post-injury. Today, Campbell stated: “There will be a place for him in this game… it’s going to be good to get him back.”

Expect at least an LP (limited practice) on the first practice report.

 

Levi Onwuzurike – right ankle, January 5

Onwuzurike had a heavy wrap on the right ankle during the last game and limped off the field with trainers at one point. He finished the game logging 74% of snaps which is reassuring, but it’s something to monitor on the practice report. Hopefully, he doesn’t even show up on the report.

QUESTIONABLE TO PLAY

Terrion Arnold – right foot, January 5

The injury has been reported as a foot contusion by Ian Rapaport which is close to the best case outcome versus a significant sprain or fracture. Arnold has been in good spirits since the injury, and all early signs are positive. There is a good chance he’ll be ready for Saturday.

Hope for at least an LP on the first practice report which would suggest he’s on track to play.

Ennis Rakestraw – hamstring, November 23

After going on IR, Rakestraw’s practice window opened January 9 which was 7 weeks post-injury. For hamstrings, a gradual ramp-up can help prevent an aggravation. He’ll have two weeks of practice before the game which could be enough.

He’ll have at least an LP on the first practice report, but if he can manage an FP (full practice), there’s a good chance he’s available Saturday.

Kevin Zeitler – right hamstring, January 5

Early reports from Dan Campbell last week implied that the hamstring injury was mild. Like with Rakestraw, a hamstring strain benefits from a gradual ramp-up.

An LP or FP on the initial report would be a good sign for his availability on Saturday.

 

UNLIKELY TO PLAY

Pat O’Connor – calf, January 5

Likely this is a calf strain and Dan Campbell’s comments from last week were very pessimistic. Expect an NP (no practice) for most or all of this week. If he does make it to an LP or better, that would be a good sign he might be back at some point in these playoffs.

WON’T PLAY THIS WEEK BUT MAYBE LATER

Aidan Hutchinson – left tib/fib fracture, October 13

No change in status for Hutchinson as he continues his rehab while on IR. Dan Campbell last week was not optimistic, but I think there is still a decent chance of a limited return for the Super Bowl which is 17 weeks post-injury.

Hope to see Hutchinson’s 21-day practice window opened next week.

Carlton Davis – jaw fracture, December 15

The initial estimate for Davis was that he had a chance to be back for the conference championship game which would be 6 weeks post-injury. Last week however, Dan Campbell strongly suggested Davis was out for the season.

Davis is on IR so watch to see if his 21-day practice window opens in the next couple weeks.

 

Dan Campbell offers updates on several injured Lions players ahead of the playoffs

Dan Campbell offers updates on several injured Lions players ahead of the playoffs, including a quick return for Montgomery and Arnold

In his first press conference since the Lions clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC postseason, Lions head coach Dan Campbell ran through a list of Detroit’s injured players. While not all news was positive, a couple of key players appear ready to come back right away,

David Montgomery

Detroit’s running back has been out since Week 15 with an MCL injury to his knee. After giving a positive update to NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark on Sunday night, Campbell confirmed that Montgomery is expected to play in the Lions’ first playoff game.

Terrion Arnold and Kevin Zeitler

The two key starters who left the win over Minnesota with injuries got lumped together in a single comment by Campbell.

“We got better news on Zeitler and Arnold,” Campbell stated. “I can’t guarantee that they’re playing (In the division round) but it’s much better than it appeared to be when the injuries happened.

Arnold, the team’s first-round CB, injured his foot while making a tackle and getting caught in a little friendly fire. He was carted off the field from the sideline after being unable to put any weight on his foot. In his postgame press conference, Campbell had indicated that initial x-rays were negative, and Arnold has since stated he was ready to play.

[lawrence-related id=118225]

Right guard Zeitler left the Vikings game very late with an apparent hamstring injury.

Aidan Hutchinson

Nothing really new here on the Lions star pass rusher, who broke his lower leg in the win over Dallas. Campbell reiterated it’s unlikely but not impossible for a return from Hutchinson.

“He had a season-ending injury,” Campbell stated. “But if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan.”

Pat O’Connor

Campbell stated the news was “not as positive” on the veteran defensive lineman. O’Connor injured his calf in the win over Minnesota.

Ennis Rakestraw

“I do think there’s a chance we get (Rakestraw) back,” Campbell said of the rookie CB. “He’s trending the right way too.”

Rakestraw has been on injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in practice prior to the Week 12 matchup with the Jaguars. Rakestraw missed time earlier in the season with the same injury.

Ruled out for the rest of the postseason

Campbell ruled out two Lions defenders for the rest of the season. SAM backer Derrick Barnes, who has missed several months with a knee injury, was not a surprise.

Cornerback Carlton Davis was a little more noteworthy. Davis broke his jaw in Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was already playing through a broken thumb. Campbell’s indication that Davis will not return means more outside CB reps for Amik Robertson, who was stellar in that role in the Week 18 win over Minnesota.

Lions postgame medical report after victory over Vikings and securing the No. 1 seed

Lions postgame medical report after victory over Vikings and securing the No. 1 seed

The Lions secured the #1 seed along with the valuable bye but it wasn’t without some injury concerns.

Potential losses for next game:

  • Terrion Arnold
  • Pat O’Connor
  • Kevin Zeitler

Potential additions for next game:

  • David Montgomery
  • Ennis Rakestraw (unlikely)

Here are the injuries I saw in the Vikings game on my initial watch along with suspected diagnoses:

Jahmyr Gibbs – wind, 2q 13:50

Gibbs took a hard shot to abdomen. After being hunched over for a few seconds, he popped up quickly. He left the game briefly but returned in the next drive. There is a good chance he just had the wind knocked out. No issues the rest of the game and no concerns going forward.

Brian Branch – hit to head, 2q 12:33

Branch took a jarring hit to his helmet which put him at risk for a concussion. He got up afterwards shaking his head which was concerning, but there were no other signs of concussion on video (loss of consciousness, ataxia, dazed). He finished the game without issue.

Delayed concussion symptoms are possible but unlikely, and he should be fine for next game. Even if he had a concussion, he’d likely be available in two weeks for the next game.

Pat O’Connor – calf strain, 3q 12:06

This injury may have occurred off-screen as nothing was obvious on video. Officially he is listed with a calf which likely means a calf strain. He did not return to the game. His return will depend on severity.

Terrion Arnold – right foot sprain, 3q 11:35

This injury was interesting because there were confusing signs at first. He initially reached for the left ankle area. Video did show a left ankle external rotation which could have caused a high ankle sprain. However, the official report was a foot. Here is the video focusing on the left ankle/foot.

Subsequently, there was was video of him carted off nursing his right foot as well as a sideline report by Melissa Stark that it was indeed a right-sided injury.

A re-look at the video showed that the right foot landed hard, and then his teammate’s leg landed on the heel which crunched and twisted his foot.

A toe hyperextension (turf toe) is a possibility, but more likely, this is a foot sprain.

X-rays after the game were reported by Dan Campbell to be negative. This is reassuring but doesn’t rule out a subtle, occult fracture, so he’ll likely have further imaging today.

He was seen in a boot in the locker room which is used to avoid further aggravation and does not necessarily signify something serious.

In many locker room videos, Arnold was in great spirits which along with the negative X-ray are reassuring early signs. It’s possible he could be available next game.

Levi Onwuzurike – right ankle, 4q 11:50.

The injury may have occurred off-screen as the video didn’t show anything. He appeared to be reaching for his right ankle which was already heavily wrapped. I looked back and the ankle wrap was not present on the first drive of the game, but showed up on the second drive. I didn’t see any obvious ankle injury on video during that first drive.

He also was wearing a right knee brace all game but looking back over the season, this was present last game as well as in the first game of the season.

He finished the game so hopefully this means the injury is mild.

Kevin Zeitler – right hamstring strain, 4q 3:52

Zeitler pulled up reaching for his right hamstring. He had a heavy limp on the sideline and did not return to the game although there were only a few garbage time plays left. He’ll likely get an MRI and his return will depend on severity.

NOTABLES

Alex Anzalone played 98% of snaps and looked good. Lions typically don’t ease their players back and this was no exception.

Emmanuel Moseley on Saturday before the game was placed on the NFI (non-football injury) list. He had been out with an illness all week. This likely ends his season that was sabotaged by a pec rupture in training camp. He appeared in only 2 games.

Lions film review: Breaking down Brodric Martin and Pat O’Connor vs. the Packers

Lions film review: Breaking down defensive linemen Brodric Martin and Pat O’Connor vs. the Packers in Week 14

Thursday night’s thrilling win over the Green Bay Packers is one the Detroit Lions will remember for a long time, something head coach Dan Campbell emphasized in his postgame locker room speech. One of the reasons is because of how well a defensive front missing five of its seven starters held up well in the critical division win in Week 14.

For this week’s film review, I chose to focus on two of the prominent replacements for that Lions front, defensive linemen Pat O’Connor and Brodric Martin. They’ve both been with the team all year, raising expectations for their play more than the guys who just walked through the door in Allen Park.

I watched every play from O’Connor and Martin, focusing specifically on them in both the sideline and end zone angles via the All-22 tape.

I try to be transparent with my evaluation methodology. A win on a play earns a plus; a loss earns a minus. Not every play earns a mark, nor is it supposed to–especially for the interior linemen on both sides of the ball.

Here’s what I saw in watching the All-22 vs. the Packers and focusing on O’Connor and Martin in the middle of the Lions defensive line.

Pat O’Connor

O’Connor earned the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of the entire Lions defense for the game. And while there is some variance to his performance across the 43 snaps he played against Green Bay, I came away from the focused rewatch expecting him to be among the top five Lions defenders in Week 14.

One great example of O’Connor making a play that doesn’t get rewarded by Pro Football Focus came in the second quarter. Lined up as a shaded nose to the center’s right, O’Connor latched on and rode with the center, clearing out an attack hole for Alim McNeill to fill behind him and Brian Branch crashing around the outside on a run blitz.

O’Connor gave himself up on the play so his defensive mates could make the tackle. That McNeill slipped and Branch (in a rare bad game) took a poor angle was not O’Connor’s fault. No. 95 earned a plus from me on this play because if he tried to anchor, it would’ve disrupted McNeill and Branch’s roles. That they didn’t complete them shouldn’t downgrade O’Connor.

Later on that drive, O’Connor forced Love to throw later than he wanted and it resulted in a deflected INT in the back of the end zone. Detroit was (legitimately) guilty of pass interference on the play, negating the takeaway. Again, that doesn’t take away from O’Connor’s up-the-gut pressure helping create chaos for Green Bay’s offense.

In between those plusses, O’Connor earned a minus for an encroachment penalty. He also earned a minus on the touchdown, a play where pretty much every Lions defender involuntarily wound up on the ground.

Total tally for O’Connor:

12 plusses
5 minuses

The pass rush was where O’Connor thrived, earning 10 of his 12 plusses and just one of his minuses.

Brodric Martin

Martin primarily played heads-up nose tackle (0 tech) in place of injured DJ Reader. This is a role that requires Martin to be an immovable object in run defense and a bulldozer in the interior pass rush. Playing in just his second game of his second season after missing several weeks with a knee injury, Martin did not fare all that well in either capacity.

I think the first Packers drive of the second half was a good comparative spot for O’Connor and Martin. They were on the field together for the first four plays. O’Connor earned a plus on one play, while Martin earned two minuses as a pass rusher. Martin didn’t broach beyond the line of scrimmage on either pass-rush attempt, with one rep as a 3-tech (the rush tackle role) finding the Packers blocker winning a little too easily.

The biggest issue for Martin is that he doesn’t move his feet well, if at all. His initial thrust off the snap is nice, with both arms firing out and generally striking where DL Terrell Williams wants Martin’s hands to land. But too often, his feet don’t follow, leaving Martin overextended and easy to stand up or push aside for the blocker. His hands just aren’t active after that initial punch, either. In this game, he still looked very raw technically and lacked any follow-up plan beyond his initial movement.

Total tally for Martin:

2 plusses
8 minuses

Both plusses came in run defense, with the minuses split evenly between run defense and pass rush.

Quick hit thoughts on the new Lions DL

Myles Adams and Jonah Williams are keepers, based on their first game in Detroit. Adams was very effective with his technique and lateral quickness off the initial move. Williams plays to the stalemate well, something Martin could stand to learn from.

Mitchell Agude, playing as a practice squad elevation, didn’t use his hands well or have a Plan B as a pass rusher. His burst remains very nice, something that made many (myself included) expect Agude to make the 53-man roster over James Houston based on training camp and preseason. Lack of NFL reps showed more than a lack of ability.

 

Snap count notes: Sorting the Lions defensive line mix against the Titans

Snap count notes: Sorting the Lions defensive line mix against the Titans to cover for all the injuries at EDGE

Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn had to do a lot of patchwork along the defensive front in the Detroit Lions’ Week 8 win over the Tennessee Titans. Thanks to recent injuries to the top three pass rushers on the roster (Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, Aidan Hutchinson in order of injury) and top replacement starter Josh Paschal being inactive due to illness, the roster scramble was real.

The Lions started the game with Levi Onwuzurike and practice squad elevation Al-Quadin Muhammad as the starting EDGE players, going heavy on the front. Muhammad wound up playing the most snaps of any defensive lineman with 49, edging past DT Alim McNeill (45) and Onwuzurike (44). Starting nose tackle DJ Reader saw 39 reps.

Newcomer Isaiah Thomas made his Lions debut with 38 snaps. Rookie Mekhi Wingo, like Onwuzurike, played both inside and outside during his 30 reps. The same was true for Pat O’Connor in his 31 reps, though Wingo was outside a little more frequently than No. 95. James Houston played 19 snaps, with 13 from the right side and six on the left per Pro Football Focus tracking.

The disparity between the offensive and defensive snap counts was stark, with Detroit only running 48 offensive plays and the Titans offense on the field for 76. Fantastic special teams by the Lions and four Tennessee turnovers played a huge role in the lack of need for Detroit’s offense to play a lot of snaps en route to 52 points.

Quick notes:

–Jalen Reeves-Maybin was injured Malcolm Rodriguez’s primary replacement, with 14 snaps. Ben Niemann played seven in that LB role.

–The Lions pulled as many starters as they could for the final six offensive snaps, including Hendon Hooker coming in for Jared Goff at QB.

–Practice squad elevation TE Shane Zylstra played 13 snaps, a big uptick from the three he played in Week 7.

–Rookie RB Sione Vaki played one snap on offense.

–Safety Kerby Joseph was the only defensive player to stay on the field for every snap.

Lions sign veteran DE and elevate two from practice squad for Week 7

Lions sign veteran DE Pat O’Connor and elevate two from practice squad for Week 7

The Detroit Lions made some roster enhancements ahead of Sunday’s Week 7 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Most notably, the Lions signed veteran defensive end Pat O’Connor from the team’s practice squad to the active 53-man roster. O’Connor will make his Detroit debut seven years after being a seventh-round pick by the Lions in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Eastern Michigan product didn’t make the Lions team that year, but worked his way into a lengthy stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit brought him back over the summer and he’s been on the Lions practice squad all season. At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, O’Connor fits the size desired by the Lions on the edge to help replace injured Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson.

The Lions also promoted two practice squad players for the game. Tight end Shane Zylstra and EDGE Isaac Ukwu were both elevated. It’s the second week in a row Ukwu, an undrafted rookie from Ole Miss, has been elevated. Zylstra has not played in a game since 2022 after suffering a serious injury in 2023 training camp.

The Lions already have three active TEs on the roster, so Zylstra’s elevation is something of a surprise. With DT Kyle Peko lost for the season, there was some expectation the Lions would elevate DT Chris Smith for this game against the Vikings.

Options for the Lions to replace injured EDGE Marcus Davenport

Exploring the different options the Detroit Lions have to replace injured EDGE Marcus Davenport

The Detroit Lions are once again in scramble mode to find a reliable starter at the EDGE position opposite Aidan Hutchinson. The solution for the first three games, veteran Marcus Davenport, suffered what is reported to be a potential season-ending elbow injury in the Lions Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. At minimum, it appears Davenport will miss at least a few games.

Davenport played effectively when he was on the field, but his lengthy injury history was always a factor. The one-time Saints first-rounder had already missed Detroit’s Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers, and his proven frailty unfortunately reared its head in just his second week of action for the Lions.

Replacement options

The Lions already have some reinforcements on the roster. None offer the high-end pass rush skills Davenport brought, but the coaching staff already has familiarity with how to use each.

Levi Onwuzurike

Onwuzurike has already seen quite a bit of time as the “heavy” end. Well over half (74 of 125 per PFF) of his 2024 reps have come aligned as an end, meaning heads-up with the tackle or outside that set. Onwuzurike picked up a half-sack in both Week 1 and Week 2, and he is the most capable internal option to keep up the “crush the can” style Davenport brought that head coach Dan Campbell wants.

At over 290 pounds, Onwuzurike sets a powerful edge against the run on his way to the quarterback, though he doesn’t have much speed. No. 91 is also a key member of the internal DL rotation and has proven more adept at creating pressures from that inside alignment. He’s an incredible injury success story, fighting back from a likely career-ending back fusion surgery and working his way into the rotation.

Josh Paschal

Paschal is another heavier/power style of edge, though he hasn’t had the NFL success of Davenport or even Onwuzurike to this point. The 2022 second-round pick is adapting to a more power-oriented approach, something the Lions encouraged for the 280-ish-pounder after he struggled to find an identity in his first two years.

One of the reasons the Lions brought Davenport in was Paschal’s own lengthy injury history. He’s also been ineffective when he’s played in 2024; No. 93 has generated one QB pressure in 35 pass-rush snaps in three games, the same number of penalties he’s committed. Paschal was one of the Lions’ lowest-graded players in both Week 1 and Week 3 by PFF, and those grades pass the eye test.

James Houston

Houston brings a very different style element to playing EDGE. He’s a speed rusher, one who found tremendous success at the end of his rookie campaign in 2022.

Despite the prolific outburst, Houston has barely played since. He lost his role in 2023 before suffering a serious ankle injury. It was dicey that Houston would make the Lions roster in 2024 after he struggled in camp. He’s been a healthy scratch in two of the first three weeks and only saw action on three snaps when Davenport was out for Week 2.

Houston’s lack of size really stands out on the Lions roster. At just 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, he’s at least three inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter than the other options currently on the 53-man roster (including Davenport). He’s more of a fit to potentially step into Derrick Barnes’ role at SAM should Barnes be sidelined with his injury suffered in Arizona, except the team already pulled the plug on trying to get Houston in that more LB-oriented role.

Mekhi Wingo

Wingo hasn’t played a lot yet as a sixth-round rookie. The 6-foot-1, 290-pounder from LSU is a positional tweener at his size. Detroit has used him on the edge in preseason and also in the first three weeks, and his increased role in Arizona suggests he might be poised for a bigger shot here.

He’s a crafty fighter, but Wingo’s lack of length and also quickness beyond his first step appear to be limiting factors. Having said that, the rookie has been more effective at rushing the passer than Paschal already. If he can hold up against the run and not lose containment on his rushes, Wingo could very well take over a much meatier role. That’s a lot to ask of a sixth-round rookie, however.

Practice squad

The Lions have two practice squad players who saw a lot of action over the summer at EDGE. Mitchell Agude and Isaac Ukwu both challenged to make the roster over Houston with their ability to impact and disrupt off the edge.

Agude is the more likely call-up — especially if Barnes is out — as he is cross-trained at SAM. He’s slightly undersized (6-3/252) for what the Lions want at EDGE but plays with stoutness as a primarily power-to-speed style of pass rusher.

Ukwu, an undrafted rookie from Ole Miss, is more like Houston stylistically. He’s the only other real speed-rush option, and he’s got bend and juice around the outside. Ukwu was very hit-and-miss in camp and preseason, but his “hit” is certainly intriguing.

Detroit also has Chris Smith on the practice squad. Smith is an interior-only defender, but bringing him back up to the active roster would facilitate the Lions playing Onwuzurike more exclusively outside.

Yet the most likely option from the practice squad should be veteran Pat O’Connor. The 30-year-old has years of experience with the Buccaneers in a reserve role, and he brings almost exactly the same size and length as Davenport (6-4/272). O’Connor knows how to play the run, and he showed this summer he could crush the can when aligned wide.

External options

The free agent pool at EDGE is pretty shallow. There are some faded vets with better name recognition than 2024 ability, guys like Yannick Ngakoue and Shaq Lawson.

As for trades…

It can’t be ruled out, but it seems extremely unlikely Lions GM Brad Holmes would make a move of any significance here. Unless it makes sense financially and within the culture of the Lions, it’s just not a viable path. Read as: the Lions aren’t going to pay for a disgruntled player like Haason Reddick of the Jets. He’s the only noteworthy player that is potentially available via trade right now, and speculating about others (Maxx Crosby comes to mind) is irresponsible clickbait. Now if the Raiders make any indication that Crosby might be available — and they have not done that — then the Lions should at least call.

Lions add two linemen, place Netane Muti on I.R.

Lions add two linemen to the roster, one of them a former Detroit draft pick, and place Netane Muti on I.R.

The Detroit Lions have made a couple of additions to the training camp roster and placed another on injured reserve prior to Thursday’s practice session in Allen Park.

The Lions added offensive lineman Jake Burton and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor.

Burton is a tackle who has bounced around several training camps and practice squads since finishing his college career at UCLA in 2019. He played for the Michigan Panthers of the UFL as well. During his time with the Bruins, he played under current Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley.

O’Connor is a more familiar name for Lions fans. He was a seventh-round draft pick by Detroit back in the 2017 NFL Draft, though he failed to make the team as a rookie. Now 30, the Eastern Michigan product has spent the last several seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bouncing between the practice squad and active roster.

The Lions also placed offensive lineman Netane Muti on injured reserve with a shoulder injury suffered in Tuesday’s practice.