The Detroit Lions suffered setbacks in multiple ways during Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Dan Campbell’s team not only lost the game, 48-42, but Detroit also suffered injuries to three defensive players during it.
The trio of players included cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey, who sustained jaw and ankle injuries, respectively, along with star defensive lineman Alim McNeill, who is facing a knee problem.
All three athletes were declared unavailable for the game, and it became instantly obvious from the horrific severity of his injury that Dorsey will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
However, there was still a glimmer of hope that McNeill and Davis hadn’t sustained serious injuries. Regrettably, that soon concluded post-game when Campbell spoke about the injuries concerning two of his starting defenders. Here’s the most recent update.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed concern that both Davis and McNeill may have sustained injuries that end their seasons.
“Tomorrow will provide more information, (but) I’m not optimistic about either individual,” Campbell stated, as reported by Jeremy Reisman from Pride of Detroit. “Yeah, typically when I say, ‘I don’t feel well,’ that indicates not well for the rest of the year.” Therefore, I don’t have a positive feeling regarding it.
Campbell did not elaborate on the particular injuries that the two defenders sustained.
In addressing the gap created by Davis’ injury, the Lions might utilize experienced player Emmanuel Moseley in his place, even though Moseley was inactive again during Week 15. We would expect that to change in Week 16.
Detroit is aiming to have rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr. return from injured reserve this week. The Missouri player can be activated, but that doesn’t ensure he’ll be prepared to compete on Sunday.
In addition to Rakestraw Jr. and Moseley, the Lions have Kindle Vildor on the team, though he is the least favorable choice. Amik Robertson might contribute, too, but he has been playing in the slot this season, and the Lions might prefer not to disrupt that situation.
