Detroit is gearing up to strengthen their linebacker unit as they face challenges on their defensive line.
The Lions have signed veteran Kwon Alexander from the Denver Broncos’ practice squad, as reported by his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. The 30-year-old inside linebacker has participated in two games as a starter this season while also taking on a reserve role in another matchup for Denver.
Malcolm Rodriguez suffered a knee injury during Thursday’s victory over the Chicago Bears, raising concerns for coach Dan Campbell about its severity. The Lions’ linebacker corps has been significantly impacted this season, especially with Rodriguez currently filling in for Alex Anzalone, who is on injured reserve due to a broken arm and is projected to be out for at least another month. Additionally, injuries have sidelined veteran linebackers Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
As the NFC-leading Lions (11-1) prepare to host the Green Bay Packers (9-3) on Thursday night, they are likely to seek further defensive reinforcements ahead of this critical matchup.
The defensive line is also facing numerous injury problems. Players like Josh Paschal (knee), Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring), and Mekhi Wingo (knee) sustained injuries against the Bears. The defensive line has lost Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg, while Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky, and Kyle Peko are also nursing injuries.
“Whoever we have available, we’re going to get them ready to play,” stated Campbell. “We expect them to hold the line, period. You’ve got to do your job, and everybody around you is looking for you to do your job.”
When it comes to their gameplay, the Lions have excelled in running the football. Although their streak of rushing for a touchdown in 25 consecutive games ended against the Bears, the partnership of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is thriving. They rushed for a combined total of 175 yards on 30 attempts against Chicago, drawing a parallel to classic video game characters “Sonic and Knuckles.”
Gibbs etched his name in franchise history, becoming the first player to achieve more than 70 yards of offense in each of the first 12 games. Montgomery is now among the select few Lions, including Hall of Famer Barry Sanders and Billy Sims, who have accumulated over 700 rushing yards, more than 275 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns within the first 12 games.
One area of concern for the team is their red zone efficiency. The Lions converted only 2 out of 5 opportunities in the red zone during the game against Chicago. Failing to capitalize on these chances against more formidable opponents could be detrimental.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes placed significant emphasis on acquiring D.J. Reader, and results show why. The 6-foot-3, 335-pound defensive tackle not only takes up space on the defensive line but also contributes to the pass rush. He recorded three sacks — a personal season best — along with two sacks equating to a career milestone not achieved since 2018, alongside three quarterback hits and four tackles in the game against the Bears.
On the downside, wide receiver Jameson Williams is under scrutiny. Despite showcasing his skills, such as leaping over a defender, concerns regarding his maturity were reignited following his decision to throw the ball at a Bears player on the sidelines, all while not wearing his helmet. Nonetheless, Williams did offer an apology to the team post-game, which Campbell regarded as a sign of personal growth.
The Lions have faced several injuries beyond those already mentioned, including offensive tackle Taylor Decker and cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Emmanuel Moseley, who were inactive during their recent Thanksgiving win that halted a seven-game losing streak.
A key statistic for the Lions is the number 12; they achieved their best record after the first 12 games with a franchise-record-tying 10-game winning streak. They matched a team record established in 1934, when they started with a 10-0 record and ended at 10-3.
Looking ahead, the Lions are likely to explore practice squads for defensive linemen to add some much-needed depth to position groups significantly affected by injuries, all while they prepare for a critical clash with the Packers, which may hold significant implications in the NFC North standings.