The Detroit Lions (12-2) lost to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, and the news didn’t get any better Sunday as two of the team’s best defensive players suffered serious injuries.
Defensive tackle Alim McNeil tore his ACL in the loss and cornerback Carlton Davis II suffered a fractured jaw, Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Monday. McNeil’s season is over, while Davis is expected to undergo surgery and be sidelined indefinitely.
“Mac (McNeil) is out for the rest of the year,” Campbell said Monday. “He’s got a knee injury and he’s going to need surgery. CD (Carlton Davis), he’s got a jaw (injury), he’s going to be out. We owe it to them because they helped us. They put it at risk for us. ”
These are just the latest in an absurd series of injuries that have plagued Detroit’s defense. In addition to McNeil and Davis, Detroit also has Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, John Kominsky, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ennis Rakstro Jr., Emmanuel Moseley and Ifeetu Melifonwu. He has already been placed on injured reserve this season. Players like Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Rieder, Josh Paschall, Brian Branch and Terion Arnold also missed at least one game due to injury.
John Kominsky Torn MCL 14 Yes, Melifon Wu Ankle, finger 14 Yes Emmanuel Moseley Torn pectoral muscle 13 Return Marcus Davenport Torn triceps 12 Yes Derrick Barnes Torn MCL and PCL 11 Yes Aidan Hutchinson Tibial and fibula fractures 9 Yes Jalen Reeves-Maybin Neck 8 Yes Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Hamstring 6 Yes Alex Anzalone Broken Arm 5 Yes Malcolm Rodriguez Torn ACL 4 Yes Josh Paschall Foot 3 No DJ Reader Shoulder 2 No Levi Onzurike Hamstring 1 No Brian Branch Concussion 1 No Therion Arnold Groin 1 No Carlton Davis Jaw Fracture 1 TBDA Rim McNeil tear ACLTBDTBDKKhalil Dorsey leg fractureTBDTBD
The Lions were able to weather the storm for the most part despite the absence, but things snowballed on Sunday as the Bills repeatedly marched up and down the field, gaining 559 yards and 48 points. This team looks like one of the NFC’s top contenders again this season thanks to its surprisingly efficient offense, but even if defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn placates a strong performance, the defense will at some point injuries may be insurmountable. Of the various injury replacements in his squad.
As the season winds down, the Lions will rely even more on their defensive interior leaders, players like Onwuzurike and Pat O’Connor, and corners like Arnold, Amik Robertson and Kindle Wildor. Dew. Whether and how they can maintain that ranking will be one of the most important things to watch heading into the postseason.
