Lions’ Edge Rusher Gamble Exposed by Davenport’s Injuries
The injury concerns surrounding Marcus Davenport have put the Detroit Lions’ depth at edge rusher into the spotlight, yet head coach Dan Campbell seems unfazed. In a recent interview on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell downplayed any urgency regarding Davenport’s situation after the veteran defensive lineman suffered two injuries during the Week 2 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Injury Update on Davenport
Davenport exited the game twice, first due to an ankle injury and then with a shoulder issue that has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Campbell acknowledged that while there were no fresh updates on Davenport’s condition, he expects to have more information later this week.
“Nothing new there,” Campbell stated. “I mean, I’m probably not going to know till the end of the week. But as far as depth, we’re good. We’re in a pretty good place here. We made some acquisitions, Brad (Holmes) did right out of camp, so we’re pretty good depth-wise here, but we’ll know more at the end of the week.”
While Campbell’s comments suggest a sense of confidence, the Lions are actively seeking a second opinion on Davenport’s injuries, indicating that initial assessments may not have been entirely reassuring. “We’re still getting things looked at with that. We’ll see where that’s at. For Monday (will he play)? I don’t know. It’s a good question. I’m hoping it won’t be too bad, but until we get a couple of these second opinions back, I won’t know for sure,” he added.
Depth Concerns Behind Hutchinson
If Davenport is sidelined, the Lions would be left with just two edge rushers on their 53-man roster: Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Hutchinson has already established himself as a premier player, but the same level of confidence cannot be extended to Muhammad. Although he has shown flashes of potential during his time in Detroit, the team would prefer him as a backup rather than a starter.
This precarious situation is troubling for a Lions team with Super Bowl aspirations. The franchise is one Hutchinson injury away from facing a major setback. The depth issues that fans worried about during the offseason have come to a head, particularly as general manager Brad Holmes opted not to bolster the edge rusher position and instead placed his trust in the injury-prone Davenport.
Missed Opportunities and Fan Frustration
Holmes’ decision-making has drawn criticism, especially after he cut Za’Darius Smith, who was later signed by the Philadelphia Eagles— a move that seemed to exacerbate the Lions’ edge rusher dilemma. Campbell’s assertion that the Lions were “good” in terms of edge rusher depth likely did not sit well with Smith, who quickly made his way to a rival NFC team shortly after Campbell’s comments.
The current state of the Lions’ edge rusher group has left many fans anxious about the team’s prospects. While there is a glimmer of hope that the depth will hold up, the situation remains tenuous. For now, the Lions will be monitoring Davenport’s condition closely, as their Super Bowl dreams hang in the balance.
Looking Ahead
As the team prepares for its next game, the uncertainty surrounding Davenport’s health looms large. The upcoming week will be critical in determining both his status and the Lions’ trajectory as they pursue a championship season. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are high for a team that has long yearned to return to the top of the NFL.
