GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Despite a 10-game winning streak, the Detroit Lions only have a slight edge in the NFC North and they will be short several key players heading into Thursday night’s showdown with Green Bay.
Team officials have already ruled out four players for the matchup: left tackle Taylor Decker and three defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal and DJ Reader.
None of the four practiced this week. Decker missed last week’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Bears and is still nursing a knee injury. Onwuzurike (hamstring) and Paschal (knee) both left last week’s game with injuries. Reader, who finished the Bears game with four total tackles and two sacks, is now dealing with a shoulder injury.
Dan Skipper is expected to fill in for Decker, but outside of Kalif Raymond, the offense is fairly healthy. The Lions’ defense, however, has been hit hard.
Aside from Onwuzurike, Paschal and Reader, three other defensive linemen are on injured reserve, including star rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit is also missing four of their top five linebackers.
The Lions also placed linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo on injured reserve for injuries suffered last week.
Brad Holmes signed four new players over the last few days to supply some more depth, including two former Pro Bowlers. Defensive tackle Myles Adams was signed off of Seattle’s practice squad and versatile lineman Jonah Williams was pulled from the Rams.
Linebacker Kwon Alexander was signed off of Denver’s practice squad. Alexander is in the middle of his 10th professional season. He made the Pro Bowl in his third year in the league in 2017 but has bounced around to several teams over the last four years. He has played in three games this season for Denver, recording eight tackles and a forced fumble.
The veteran does have some experience with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. He played seven games under Glenn in New Orleans in 2020.
Holmes also signed Jamal Adams to the Lions’ practice squad. The safety has made three Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro in 2019 with the New York Jets, but injuries have severely limited his play over the last three years. He has appeared in just 13 games since the start of the 2022 season, including three with Tennessee earlier this year before being granted his release. He played just 20 snaps on defense and made four tackles.
Detroit (11-1) is one game ahead of Minnesota (10-2) and two games up on Green Bay (9-3) in the division. The Lions will host the Packers tonight at Ford Field. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
