Seven thoughts to end the week as Lions prepare to battle the Seahawks
Allen Park — Here are seven things rattling around my brain as we reach the final day of preparation for Monday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.
Injury woes not unique
The big story this week has been the rash of injuries coming out of the Arizona game. The Lions lost defensive end Marcus Davenport for the season, linebacker Derrick Barnes for at least four games and probably more, and center Frank Ragnow won’t suit up Monday against Seattle because of a partially torn pec.
Those three join some training camp injuries, including John Cominsky, Emmanuel Moseley, Brodric Martin, Antoine Green and Michael Badgley.
It’s a consequential mix of starters and key reserves, but, to be fair, the injury bug is eating well all around the league. Look no further than some of the other NFC favorites entering the 2024 season.
Arguably nobody has had it rougher than the 49ers, who are missing superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Dre Greenlaw remains on PUP, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is out for the year, first-round pick Ricky Pearsall was shot, and Deebo Samuel and George Kittle have both missed time.
In Dallas, the team was already without 2023 interception leader DaRon Bland and is now expected to be down pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence for a stretch.
No. 1 receiver AJ Brown has been ailing for the Eagles, the Buccaneers have seen Antoine Winfield Jr., Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and Luke Goedeke miss time, and the Rams' receiver corps has been decimated with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp landing on the shelf.
How about Detroit’s upcoming opponent, Seattle? Kenneth Walker III missed the past two games, they’re starting right tackle is on PUP, and seemingly every member of their front seven has been out or limited during this week of practice.
The Packers might be in the best shape, overall, but they had the unenviable task of overcoming the loss of quarterback Jordan Love the past couple of weeks. Their backfield has also been pummeled with AJ Dillion out for the year and third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd landing on IR with an ankle injury.
That’s all to serve as a reminder that surviving injuries is a big part of being successful in this league. We’ve heaped praise on general manager Brad Holmes for putting together such a deep roster — and rightfully so — but that’s going to get tested this week.
Unclear role
Update: Minutes after this post published, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve.
As the team prepares for its fourth game, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu remains sidelined by an ankle injury. Coach Dan Campbell didn’t have a meaningful update to offer Friday after expressing some optimism the previous week.
The situation is a shame because Melifonwu seemed to be past his early-career durability issues, playing a key role down the stretch last year after being inserted into the starting lineup mid-season.