DETROIT – Four key players are out for the Detroit Lions in their critical game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.
The Lions already went into Green Bay and beat the Packers earlier this season, but this rematch is important not only to the Lions' division title hopes, but also in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
With a win over the Packers, the Lions would improve to 12-1 and maintain their one-game lead over the Vikings in the North and the Eagles in the conference.
The Packers are also a common opponent with the Eagles, which means this game could end up being a key tiebreaker between the Lions and Eagles down the stretch.
But the Lions will be heavily shorthanded for Thursday’s contest. They announced that starting left tackle Taylor Decker, starting defensive tackle D.J. Reader, and edge rushers Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike are all out.
- Taylor Decker -- out with a knee injury.
- Levi Onwuzurike -- out with a hamstring injury.
- Josh Paschal -- out with a knee injury.
- D.J. Reader -- out with a shoulder injury.
Detroit’s defensive line has been decimated by injuries. The season-ending broken leg for Aidan Hutchinson is the most notable, but the team has also lost Marcus Davenport, and now Reader, Onwuzurike, and Paschal.
Za’Darius Smith, who was acquired from the Browns at the trade deadline, is one of the last pass rushers standing.
Decker’s injury hurts the offense, but the Lions have been relatively healthy so far on that side of the ball.
On defense, the line and linebacking units are just trying to stay afloat at this point. Starting linebackers Derrick Barnes and Alex Anzalone are out with long-term injuries, and Malcolm Rodriguez, who filled in expertly as a starter, is done for the year.
The Lions and Packers kick off at 8:15 p.m. Thursday from Ford Field.
