Lions face edge crisis as Davenport lands on IR
The Detroit Lions are navigating a challenging situation along their defensive line following the placement of defensive end Marcus Davenport on injured reserve. This decision means that Davenport will be sidelined for at least the next four games, leaving the team in a precarious position as they prepare for their upcoming matchup.
Davenport’s Injury Concerns
Davenport sustained a chest injury during the Lions’ Week 2 victory against the Chicago Bears. While the team has not provided extensive details about the nature of the injury, head coach Dan Campbell expressed cautious optimism. He indicated that the injury is not expected to be season-ending, though he refrained from giving a specific timeline for Davenport’s return.
“We’re still trying to decide what to do. We’ve gotten some other tests back. We do not feel this is season-ending,” Campbell stated. “But don’t see him playing this week. … I think we’ll have a good idea of the timeline either today or tomorrow, just how long that will be.”
Depth Issues on the Edge
This development is particularly concerning for Lions fans. The team did not make substantial upgrades to their edge rusher group during the offseason, opting instead to re-sign Davenport to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. Unfortunately, Davenport’s ongoing struggles with injuries have left the Lions thin on the edge, compelling them to rely heavily on Al-Quadin Muhammad as the primary starter alongside Hutchinson.
With only two edge rushers currently on the 53-man roster, the Lions face a critical decision moving forward. A roster move appears imminent as they look to bolster their defensive line depth after Week 3.
Roster Moves and Upcoming Matchup
In addition to placing Davenport on injured reserve, the Lions elevated tight end Ross Dwelley from the practice squad. This move was necessitated after Shane Zylstra was also placed on IR, leaving Dwelley to serve as the third tight end behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
As the Lions gear up to face the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Night Football,” the team is bracing for the challenge ahead. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on how they adapt without Davenport in the lineup.
Other NFL News
The Lions aren’t the only team facing challenges this week. Other notable stories include Andy Reid and Travis Kelce’s heated sideline exchange, CeeDee Lamb’s updates on his Week 4 status following an ankle injury, George Pickens’ emotional response to a crucial mistake against the Bears, and Kevin Stefanski’s decision regarding the Browns’ starting quarterback after Week 3.
