DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have 15 injured defensive players who won’t suit up Thursday night against the Packers.
That’s right: 15. Aaron Glenn has dealt with an astounding number of injuries through the first 12 games, and somehow, he’s managed to keep the ship afloat.
On Wednesday, the Lions announced three defensive linemen who won’t be available for Thursday Night Football. Add those to the 12 on injured reserve, and here’s the full list:
- Aidan Hutchinson
- DJ Reader
- Alex Anzalone
- Marcus Davenport
- Malcolm Rodriguez
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Derrick Barnes
- Josh Paschal
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
- Mekhi Wingo
- John Cominsky
- Nate Lynn
- Kyle Peko
Think about the front seven you could build just from injured players. Hutchinson and Davenport on the edges, Reader and Peko on the interior, and Anzalone, Barnes, and Rodriguez at linebacker.
Injuries to Onwuzurike, Paschal, Wingo, Cominsky, Lynn, and Peko become much more consequential when the entire starting unit is out (except for Alim McNeill).
The secondary might get a bit of a boost Thursday if Carlton Davis and Emmanuel Moseley return. Both were listed as full practice participants on Tuesday and Wednesday.
But the secondary will be tested if the front seven can’t get pressure on Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Za’Darius Smith and Al-Quadin Muhammad will be the primary edge rushers responsible for making Love uncomfortable.
On the bright side, the Lions are mostly healthy on offense. Taylor Decker is out for Thursday’s game, but the other four offensive lineman are good to go.
Kalif Raymond hurts the depth at wide receiver, but Tim Patrick has done a nice job stepping in, so Raymond’s injury is more of a loss on special teams. He’s by far the team’s most dynamic punt returner.
Every NFL team deals with injuries, but it seems like the Lions have been hit especially hard in one very specific area.
Nobody is going to feel sorry for them, though. Even at 11-1 on the season, they need a win Thursday to keep pace atop the NFC standings.
