The Detroit Lions enter their Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals with five key players getting various levels of limited practice, including Jarrad Davis (MIKE LB, ankle), Da’Shawn Hand (DL, elbow), Rashaan Melvin (CB, knee ), Frank Ragnow (IOL, ankle) and Trey Flowers (DDE, shoulder).
After suffering an injury at the beginning of Game 3 of the preseason, Davis has yet to see the field in any meaningful capacity. If he misses this week — as is expected — the Lions will turn to rookie Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones and Jalen Reeves-Maybin to fill the void.
Hand has been injured since before the preseason and while he has been making progress — shedding his protective equipment — it looks like he may still require some more time to rehabilitate.
Melvin missing time is concerning. The Lions will need several defensive backs to defend against Arizona this week, and if Melvin can’t go, they may need to lean on rookie Amani Oruwariye.
Ragnow is listed as having a limited practice but he has been taking snaps with the first-team during the portions of practice open to the media and the starting offensive line appears to be on track to start Week 1.
Flowers has yet to see the field in game action while wearing Honolulu blue, but he has been a participant in practices for the last few weeks. The Lions may take it slow with Flowers in the opener, which would mean more Romeo Okwara.
