The Detroit Lions are already dealing with a rash of injuries, and the regular season hasn’t even started yet. This is pretty much a repeat for the team, since last season, the Lions faced multiple injuries on their starting squad, especially on their defensive lineup. Detroit was hoping for a much different showing this season, but it’s already off to a rocky start.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell served up an update about the team on Thursday, August 21, and he focused a lot on the team’s current injury situation, since it’s an important topic of conversation. Unfortunately, the report that Campbell shared isn’t what those who are rooting for the Detroit Lions want to hear.
Campbell’s injury update will likely have the team clamoring for some free agents to fill these gaps in the lineup. So, don’t be surprised if you see at least one Lions signing soon, and that’s especially true in one hurting position. The good news, though, is that if the Lions learn their lessons early on, maybe they’ll avoid getting injured later in the season when it matters most.
Dan Campbell Serves Up Detroit Lions Update
The Detroit Lions absolutely have to be healthy this season if they’re going to succeed. It can’t be like last season, when they went into the preseason without some of their key players.
But, Campbell dropped some disappointing news on Thursday when he told reporters that edge Josh Paschal is going to be out for longer than they initially expected. This is a hit to a position where the Lions already had some weakness.
Paschal has been on the active/non-football injury roster since July, but he was expected to be back early in the season. They thought he would be back by September, but now, it appears that Paschal will be designated as an NFI before the season starts.
During the conference, Campbell pointed out that Paschal isn’t making the progress that they thought he would be making at this point in the preseason. Campbell is usually a glass-half-full kind of person, but when talking about Paschal’s injury, he didn’t make any promises. So, the Detroit Lions need to start seriously looking at bringing on a reliable pass rushes, because the depth in this position is frightening.
Lions Have a New Sense of Urgency
The latest injury news will have many pointing to the Lions bringing back Za’Darius Smith, who was on the Lions’ squad last season, after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury. It simply makes sense to bring Smith back. He delivered well for the team during his time with them last season, and he’s one of the best remaining free agents in his position.
Manager Brad Holmes should act quickly on securing Smith or, if not him, another reliable edge. Holmes still hasn’t extended Hutchinson’s contract, either, which may keep some in the Motor City up at night.
As much as Holmes has tried to ignore the need for the Lions to add another high-stakes pass rusher, he just can’t avoid it anymore. There’s no way to neglect the injuries that are already piling up.
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