The Detroit Lions’ injury woes are well-documented. The team has been decimated by injuries all season, especially on the defensive end. The Lions currently have six starters sidelined and more depth pieces on the injured reserve list.
Veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin is one of those players. The 29-year-old defender landed on the injured reserve list after suffering a neck injury against the Texans in Week 9. He has been unavailable since then. On Monday, head coach Dan Campbell said that Reeves-Maybin may finally be back in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Lions News: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin Could Return in Week 17
Reeves-Maybin returned to practice last week, starting his 21-day activation window. He got in a few practices but wasn’t ready to go against the Bears. With another week of practice under his belt, the veteran linebacker has a decent chance to return on Monday.
The Lions could desperately use reinforcements in the linebacker rotation. The team had to use a wide plethora of options there due to injuries all season. Lately, it has been Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske, and Zeke Turner getting the lion’s share of snaps at linebacker.
In addition to Reeves-Maybin, the Lions are also missing Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez in the rotation. Anzalone is set to return before the regular season is over, but Rodriguez is out for the year with a torn ACL.
Despite sitting at 13-2 for the season, the Lions have more work to do to clinch the division title and the top seed in the NFC. They are currently tied with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North and only a game ahead of the Eagles in the conference. They visit San Francisco in Week 17 and host the Vikings in the last game of the season. That game will likely determine who ends up with the first-round bye.
So, this is an excellent time for the Lions to get healthier. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and head coach Dan Campbell have done a great job under these conditions to keep the defensive unit at an elite level amid injuries. The Lions are currently ranked the sixth-best defense in the league per PFF and in points allowed. Getting competent veterans like Reeves-Maybin back will only help take them to the next level before the postseason.
