Tag: Trey Flowers

Trey Flowers is the Lions nominee for the Walter Payton Man Of the Year Award

Fans can vote for Flowers with a special hashtag

Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers is the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Flowers will represent the Lions at the NFL’s awards along with the nominees from the other 31 teams.

The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is a very big deal for the players, honoring the off-field work players do in the community to make America a better place. The winner receives a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while all nominees are granted a $40,000 donation to their respective charities of choice.

Flowers has been incredibly generous with his time and money since joining the Lions in 2019. He’s been a leading advocate on the social justice front, an issue that has galvanized the Lions players. Now on injured reserve, Flowers offered a statement via the Lions,

“Walter Payton was a great person, what he stood for. A legacy lives on forever. It’s about the things that you do with the time that you have on this Earth. I just hope that a long time from now, people can remember the impact that I had on their lives and the impact that I had on the community. I hope that my foundation can continue to do great things in the community. I just want to inspire, I want to encourage because I know how important it is. This world, in order to get better we have to inculcate the things that we’ve experienced and the knowledge that we have on to the youth, which leads them to be even better.”

From the NFL’s press release,

Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, each player was selected as his team’s Man of the Year and is now eligible to win the national award. Considered the league’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON.

Fans can vote for Flowers to win on Twitter by using #WPMOYChallenge hashtag followed by their favorite nominee’s last name, Flowers.

Detroit Lions Week 9: Comprehensive depth chart

A comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions depth chart as they take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9 of the 2020 season.

In this comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions roster, we will be examining not only the positional depth chart but also looking at who coaches will turn to in specific situations, including who will step up in case of injury.

Here’s a look at the Lions depth chart as they take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9 of the 2020 season.

Note: Starters will be listed in BOLD and you will see some players listed more than once as they have multiple roles.

Quarterback

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Running back

Third Down back

  • Kerryon Johnson (33)
  • D’Andre Swift (32)

Fullback

  • Jason Cabinda (45)

Wide receiver

  • Kenny Golladay (19) — Ruled OUT
  • Marvin Jones Jr. (11)
  • Danny Amendola (80)
  • Jamal Agnew (39) — Ruled OUT
  • Marvin Hall (17)
  • Quintez Cephus (87)

Slot receiver

  • Danny Amendola (80)
  • Quintez Cephus (87)

Tight end

Expected starting offensive line

  • LT — Taylor Decker (68) — No injury designation
  • LG — Jonah Jackson (73)
  • C — Frank Ragnow (77)
  • RG — Hal Vaitai (72) — Questionable
  • RT — Tyrell Crosby (65)

Reserve offensive line

  • LT – Tyrell Crosby (65), Matt Nelson (67)
  • LG – Oday Aboushi (76), Logan Stenberg (61), Matt Nelson (67)
  • C – Jonah Jackson (73), Marcus Martin (60) — elevated for Week 9
  • RG – Oday Aboushi (76), Logan Stenberg (61), Matt Nelson (67)
  • RT – Hal Vaitai (72), Matt Nelson (67)
  • NOTE: Joe Dahl (66) — Downgraded to OUT

Interior defensive line

  • Danny Shelton (71), NT — No injury designation
  • Nick Williams (97), DT
  • Da’Shawn Hand (93), Big DE, DT
  • John Penisini (91), NT

EDGE Rushers

Off-the-ball linebacker

  • Jamie Collins (58), MIKE, WILL, JACK
  • Jahlani Tavai (51), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Christian Jones (52), JACK, WILL — Questionable
  • Reggie Ragland (59), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44), MIKE, WILL
  • Miles Killebrew (35), Hang

Cornerback

  • Desmond Trufant (23) — No injury designation
  • Amani Oruwariye (24)
  • Jeff Okudah (30)
  • Justin Coleman (27)
  • Mike Ford (38)
  • Tony McRae (34)
  • NOTE: Darryl Roberts (29) — has been placed on IR

Slot cornerback

  • Justin Coleman (27)
  • Tony McRae (34)

Safety

  • Duron Harmon (26), Single-high, Slot, JOKER
  • Tracy Walker (21), JOKER, Single-high, Slot — Ruled OUT
  • Jayron Kearse (42), Slot, JOKER
  • Will Harris (25), Slot, JOKER
  • C.J. Moore (49), Single-high, Slot
  • Miles Killebrew (35), JOKER, Slot

Third-safety

  • Will Harris (25)
  • C.J. Moore (49)

Kicking team

  • Matt Prater (5) — placekicker
  • Jack Fox (3) — punter, holder, kickoffs
  • Don Muhlbach (48) — long snapper

Kick returns

  • Jamal Agnew (39) — kick returner and punt returner — Ruled OUT
  • Danny Amendola (80) — reserve punt returner
  • Marvin Hall (17) — reserve kick returner

Kick coverage

  • Tony McRae (34) — gunner
  • Jamal Agnew (39) — gunner — Ruled OUT
  • Miles Killebrew (35) — five-phase specialist
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) — five-phase specialist
  • Jason Cabinda (53) — five-phase specialist
  • Will Harris (25) –five-phase specialist
  • C.J. Moore (49) — Personal Protector (PP)

Teams final injury reports

Injured reserve/PUP list

Detroit Lions Week 9 injury designations: Kenny Golladay, Tracy Walker, Jamal Agnew ruled OUT

Examining the Detroit Lions Week 9 injury designations for their Sunday matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Detroit Lions (3-4) are readying for their Week 9 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings (2-5) and they have to make some roster adjustments, as they will be playing without several key players.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

IR/PUP/Reserve-COVID-19

Ruled OUT

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice No Practice No Practice OUT
Jamal Agnew Ribs No Practice No Practice No Practice OUT
Tracy Walker Foot No Practice No Practice No Practice OUT

Golladay was always expected to miss this week’s game, but also losing Agnew leaves the Lions with just four healthy wide receivers. If the Lions feel the need to add a fifth receiver to the active roster for this week’s game, they could elevate Tom Kennedy, Victor Boldin, or newly signed veteran Mohamed Sanu — who seems like the early favorite — from the practice squad.

Walker being ruled out will push former Viking Jayron Kearse into the starting lineup against his old team and Will Harris into the third safety role he held during Kearse’s suspension.

Questionable

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Hal Vaitai Foot No Practice Limited Practice Full practice Questionable
Joe Dahl Back Limited Practice No Practice No Practice Questionable
Christian Jones Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice Questionable
Darryl Roberts Hip/Groin Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice Questionable

Vaitai is listed as questionable but he got in a full practice on Friday and seems very likely to play.

Dahl is also listed as questionable, but after not practicing on Thursday or Friday, he will likely be evaluated on Saturday to determine if he is healthy enough to travel to Minnesota. If he does travel, he could still be a game-time decision.

If Dahl is ruled out, it likely means the Lions will go back to the offensive line combination they used when he was on injured reserve — Taylor Decker (LT), Jonah Jackson (LG), Frank Ragnow (C), Hal Vaitai (RG), and Tyrell Crosby (RT). This was the offensive line combination where the Lions running backs found the most success running behind this year.

Jones has been banged up for a few weeks now but has managed to play through the pain and is expected to do so again this week.

Roberts is the only one of the Lions seven corners who is limited by injury — see Desmond Trufant in the next section — and with Justin Coleman pushing him to a reserve role, Roberts could easily be declared inactive this week and allowed to rest and recover.

No injury designation

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
T.J. Hockenson Toe Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice No designation
Taylor Decker Back No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Danny Shelton Wrist Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation

Hockenson, Decker, and Shelton all got in at least one full practice and look to be locked into their starting roles this week.

Trufant met with the media on Friday, which is a strong indication he will be ready to play on Sunday and no injury designation should seal the deal. Trufant has only played in Week’s 1 and 4, and he did not finish either, leaving both with a hamstring injury. Expect a three-man rotation on the outside between Trufant, Amani Oruwariye, and Jeff Okudah, with Justin Coleman manning the slot.

Detroit Lions Thursday Week 9 injury report: Taylor Decker and Hal Vaitai return to practice

Examining the Detroit Lions Week 9 injury report as they take the field in preparation to face the Minnesota Vikings.

The Detroit Lions (3-4) were back on the practice field again on Thursday as they prepare for their Wek 9 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings (2-5). Two starters on the offensive line returned to practice, while another starting offensive lineman was downgraded to a non-participant status. Two steps forward and one step back.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

IR/PUP/Reserve-COVID-19

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice No Practice
Jamal Agnew Ribs No Practice No Practice
Joe Dahl Back Limited Practice No Practice 
Tracy Walker Foot No Practice No Practice

Golladay is expected to miss this week’s game, but if they are also missing Agnew, that leaves only four healthy wide receivers. Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola are locked in as starters, but it’s unclear if the team will turn back to Marvin Hall or Quintez Cephus to replace Golladay — or maybe a combination of the two.

Walker missing a second practice in a row is discouraging. If he is not able to play, expect more playing time for Jayron Kearse and Will Harris to get back into the mix.

Dahl wasn’t noticeably injured in the last week’s game, then was limited on Wednesday and downgraded to no practice on Thursday, suggesting this may be a recent injury and could threaten his availability for Sunday.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Taylor Decker Back No Practice Limited Practice
Hal Vaitai Foot No Practice Limited Practice
Danny Shelton Wrist Limited Practice Limited Practice
Christian Jones Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice
Desmond Trufant Hamstring Limited Practice Limited Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip/Groin Limited Practice Limited Practice

Decker and Vaitai returned to practice today, and if they are able to play, but Dahl is not, it sets up the Lions to return to their previous offensive line structure — where they found success in Week 6 and 7:

Left tackle Left guard Center Right guard Right tackle
Taylor Decker Jonah Jackson Frank Ragnow Hal Vaitai Tyrell Crosby

Shelton and Jones getting in back-to-back limited practices is a good sign for their availability on Sunday. Friday’s participation will be the deciding factor, but things are looking good right now.

Trufant is finally stringing together several limited practices and could be ready to return to action this week if the trend continues. If he does return, it’s unclear if he will jump back into a starting role, meaning the Lions will rotate Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah again or is Trufant will be part of a rotation as he re-acclimates to game action.

Roberts has been relegated to a reserve role now that Justin Coleman is healthy, but the Lions could still use his depth on the roster.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
T.J. Hockenson Toe Limited Practice Full Practice

Hockenson being upgraded to full practice is terrific news for the Lions as he may the team’s top and most consistent receiving option with Golladay likely out.

Vikings Report

Detroit Lions Wednesday Week 9 injury report: 11 players OUT/limited, including 9 starters

Examining the Detroit Lions Week 9 injury report as they take the field on Wednesday in preparation to face the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite adding Matthew Stafford and Jarrad Davis to the reserve/COVID-19 list, the Detroit Lions (3-4) were cleared to return to the practice field on Wednesday as they prepare to host the Minnesota Vikings (2-5) in Week 9.

What’s troubling is that there were still another 11 players listed on the injury report, including nine starters — meaning 10 players, including Stafford, that started against the Indianapolis Colts are limited or not practicing this week. Not ideal.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

IR/PUP/Reserve-COVID-19

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice
Jamal Agnew Ribs No Practice
Taylor Decker Back No Practice
Hal Vaitai Foot No Practice
Tracy Walker Foot No Practice

Golladay’s injury is expected to keep him out of Sunday’s game, per a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport earlier in the week, so it’s very possible he misses the entire week of practices as well.

Decker and Walker didn’t appear to suffer injuries during last weekend’s game and both played on 100-percent of available snaps. It’s unclear at this time if the Lions’ are taking it easy with them to start the week, or if their injuries will threaten their availability for this Sunday’s game.

Agnew and Vaitai did appear to suffer their injuries during the game and neither was able to return to the game. This is slightly more concerning, but we will likely find out how severe their injuries are after Thursday’s practice.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
T.J. Hockenson Toe Limited Practice
Joe Dahl Back Limited Practice
Danny Shelton Wrist Limited Practice
Christian Jones Knee Limited Practice
Desmond Trufant Hamstring Limited Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip/Groin Limited Practice

Trufant and Roberts’ injuries are carryovers from last week, with Trufant’s preventing him from playing, while Roberts’ may have limited him to special teams only work — though it also could have been due to the return of Justin Coleman.

Hockenson, Dahl, Shelton, and Jones’ injuries are all new this week and we will likely have to wait until Thursday’s practice to get a better feel for the severity of their injuries. Limited is typically a positive, as long as they entered practice with the injury, rather than suffered one during today’s practice.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
NONE Full Practice

No players qualify for this section at this time.

Vikings Report

Detroit Lions are placing Trey Flowers on short-term IR

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia announced that the team is placing EDGE Trey Flowers on short-term injured reserve.

At his Monday afternoon press conference, Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia announced that the team is placing EDGE Trey Flowers on short-term injured reserve, meaning the soonest he can re-join the team will be in Week 12.

As noted in this week’s snap count review, Flowers looked like he had potentially injured his right hand/arm/shoulder area and it was the likely catalyst in him having a lower than normal amount of snaps against the Colts.

Flowers had been dealing with a previous wrist injury the week prior, but Patricia confirmed today that it was a new injury that happened in yesterday’s game.

Now the Lions have three of their five EDGE players out with injuries: Flowers is joining Julian Okwara on IR — who can return after Week 9 — and Austin Bryant is still on the PUP list, but eligible to return at any time.

And now the move to trade for Everson Griffen, which was originally viewed as a luxury addition, suddenly looks like a critical decision. He has still not officially joined the team, as he is moving through the onboarding process, but when he does — which happen as early as today — he should jump right into a pivotal role.

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When the Lions enter Week 9, it will be with Romeo Okwara in line to start, Griffen headed for a heavy rotational role, and if either of those two get injured they would have to lean on linebackers to fill the void.

One positive note, when Griffen does return, the placing of Flowers on injured reserve will create an opening on the 53-man roster, and Griffen can move onto the roster without another move needing to be made.

Detroit Lions Week 8 snap counts: Shifts in the trenches couldn’t save the Lions

Examining the Detroit Lions Week 8 snap counts to identify which players coaches leaned on and how that impacted their game strategy.

The Detroit Lions entered their Week 8 contest with the Indianapolis Colts by trying to take away their biggest strengths and that meant adjusting their offensive and defensive lines.

The offensive line once again saw a shuffling of players up front, adding Joe Dahl back into the starting lineup — this time at right guard — pushing Hal Vaitai outside to right tackle and sending Tyrell Crosby to the bench.

On defense, the Lions used each of their four interior defensive linemen on over 53-percent of plays, something we haven’t seen during this coaching staff’s tenure.

The main goal: Establish the run on offense, take it away on defense.

The results were not in the Lions’ favor.

The Lions managed just 29-yards rushing, with only eight of those yards coming from their running backs group. On defense, they faired better, but after a rough fourth quarter, they finished the day allowing a total of 119-yards, more than their previous two games combined.

That, and more observations in this week’s review of the Lions snap counts.

Detroit Lions Week 7 injury designations: Desmond Trufant ruled OUT, everyone else ready to go

Examining the Detroit Lions injury designation for Week 7 as they head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons.

The Detroit Lions (2-3) will take on the Atlanta Falcons (1-5) in Week 7 and both teams are entering the contest with a relatively healthy roster. The only Lions player listed with an injury designation this week is cornerback Desmond Trufant, who has been ruled OUT.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

Ruled OUT

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice OUT

Trufant was drafted by the Falcons in 2013 and started 97 games for them before being let go this offseason. He surely had this game circled on his calendar and has to be disappointed he will not be able to play but after two weeks of not being able to practice, his hamstring will once again keep him OUT.

Questionable

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
None

No players listed as questionable this week.

Not listed with an injury designation

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Joe Dahl Groin Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice No designation
Trey Flowers Wrist No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Marvin Jones Knee No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Danny Amendola Foot Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation

Dahl returned from injured reserve last weekend and saw a subdued role in last Sunday’s game, not finding the field until the third offensive series. After a week of full practices, he will be cleared to return to full duty, but it’s unclear if that means he will return to his starting role at left guard.

Ragnow, Flowers, and Jones all followed the same practice participation pattern this week, taking the day off on Wednesday, getting in a limited practice on Thursday, and a full practice on Friday. No injury designation means they are ready to go for Sunday and all should start.

Amendola saw two limited practices before getting a full workload on Sunday and he should also start without issue.

Detroit Lions Thursday Week 7 injury report: Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Marvin Jones practice

Examining the Detroit Lions Thursday Week 7 injury report, including the return of Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, and Marvin Jones to practice.

On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions (2-3) saw four starters sit out, but on Thursday, three of them returned to the practice field, leaving Desmond Trufant the only remaining starter to not practice in Week 7.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice No Practice

Trufant has missed yet another practice, his fifth in a row spanning over the last two weeks, and it’s not looking good for him returning to face his old team — the Atlanta Falcons.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin No Practice Limited Practice
Trey Flowers Wrist No Practice Limited Practice
Marvin Jones Knee No Practice Limited Practice
Danny Amendola Foot Limited Practice Limited Practice

Ragnow, Flowers, and Jones all returned to practice on Thursday, suggesting Wednesday was somewhat of a rest day for veterans who have been dealing with an uncomfortable injury. All three managed to play a full allotment of snap last week and all appear to be on track to play this week.

Amendola gets another limited practice and things are also looking up for his availability in Week 7.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Joe Dahl Groin Full Practice Full Practice

Dahl looks to be recovered from his groin injury but where he fits in along the offensive line is still to be determined. Will he return to his starting role at left guard? Will he come off the bench like last week? Will it matter what is technical role is if the guard rotation continues? We may not know these answers until Sunday.

Detroit Lions Wednesday Week 7 injury report: Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Marvin Jones, and Desmond Trufant don’t practice

Examining the Detroit Lions Wednesday injury report as they get ready for a Week 7 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Detroit Lions (2-3) returned to the practice field on Wednesday as they prepare to travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (1-5) in Week 7, and four Lions starters missed practice today.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin No Practice
Marvin Jones Knee No Practice
Trey Flowers Wrist No Practice
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice

Ragnow injured his groin last week Wednesday, missed Thursday’s practice, returned Friday, and was able to play every offensive snap on Sunday. This is most likely a maintenance day for his injury but worth keeping an eye on.

Jones and Flowers were also able to play their full complement of snaps on Sunday, so this may also be rest days for banged-up veterans, but it could also be something that popped up after the game, which would be more concerning.

Trufant’s revenge game against the Falcons may be put on hold as he is once again starting the week off unable to practice. If he can’t play, Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah have held down the fort admirably in his stay.

Limited Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Danny Amendola Foot Limited Practice

Amendola is another new name on the injury report this week. Limited is a good sign, and with his work ethic, expect him to do everything in his power to be available on Sunday.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Joe Dahl Groin Full Practice

Dahl spent three weeks on injured reserve because of his groin but was able to return to practice last week and contributed in a limited role against the Jaguars. A full practice is a great sign and it’s possible the offensive line gets shaken up again if he is ready to reclaim his starting role at left guard.

It’s worth noting that Da’Shawn Hand (chest), Nick Williams (shoulder), Christian Jones (knee), and C.J. Moore (calf) were listed on last week’s injury report and are no longer listed this week, indicating they’re good to go moving forward.