The Detroit Lions are preparing for a Week 3 matchup in Philadelphia, and while the Eagles are so banged up they’re canceling practice, the Lions are operating at virtually full strength, with only a few key players dealing with injuries.
After seeing his practice reps last week moving in the wrong direction, left tackle Taylor Decker (back) eventually missed Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Today, he was back with the first team but his status will be worth monitoring. If he is unable, Tyrell Crosby would step back into a starting role at left tackle.
Crosby had a difficult matchup last week facing off against Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but he held his own in pass protection, only allowing only two pressures and zero sacks. The Lions did find ways to scheme him help — less and less as the game wore on — but Crosby’s stat line illustrates that the Lions have a blueprint in place if they need to replace Decker once again.
Jarrad Davis (ankle) has yet to see the field in the regular season, but he has been making steady progress in the last several days. Things are pointing in the right direction to him playing sooner rather than later.
The Lions’ linebackers have played well in Davis’ absence, and while it’s not clear how the rotation will shift when he returns, the Lions will surely benefit adding their captain back into the fold. Christian Jones has seen the most snaps amongst the group throughout the first two weeks, and as the incumbent starter at WILL, could be the easy choice to start alongside Davis, but rookie Jahlani Tavai has been too good to keep on the bench and has outplayed Jones in my opinion.
Da’Shawn Hand (elbow) still appears to have the furthest path of recovery, as he is still restricted in practices, and may be out a while longer. The Lions could definitely use his pass-rushing prowess back in the rotation.
Rookie special teamer C.J. Moore (heel) is the only new addition to the injury report this week, and it’s a bit too early to make assumptions on if he will play or not. He didn’t leave the game early last week and I talked to him in the locker room after the game — something significantly injured players are restricted from doing — so there’s optimism he will be available come Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles have an astounding 13 players listed on their injury report:
