The Detroit Lions were without their starting defensive end during their 38-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. And he’ll be sidelined for at least three weeks after that, as well.
The team announced on Monday that Marcus Davenport would be headed to injured reserve. Davenport suffered a chest injury and had already been ruled out for Monday’s game, but now his long-term future is in doubt as well.
Despite Davenport’s absence, the Lions pass rush had seven sucks, led by Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad. The seven sacks tied the most allowed by the Ravens in team history, according to the Lions.
Marcus Davenport’s Injury Grew More Serious
As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire reported, the Lions initially listed Davenport’s injury as his shoulder but later clarified that it was his chest.
“Davenport suffered what was initially listed as a shoulder injury while recording the team’s first sack of the season in the Week 2 win over Chicago,” Risdon wrote. “It was later changed to a chest injury, indicative of a pectoral muscle issue. Davenport was spotted in an immobilizing sling on his right arm after a practice session.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Friday that the team still had to determine the severity of the injury.
“Yeah, I don’t see Davenport playing. We’re still trying to decide what to do. We’ve gotten some other tests back,” Campbell said. “We do not feel this is season-ending, but don’t see him playing this week.”
Campbell said the team would look for a replacement from within for now, saying he was satisfied with the organization’s depth at edge rusher.
“Yes, we do. I feel good about the depth,” Campbell said.
The Lions did not add an edge rusher from the practice squad for Monday’s game, instead elevating tight end Ross Dwelley to the active roster.
Lions Announce Inactives for Ravens Game
After putting Davenport on injured reserve, the Lions had an open roster spot and announced five players would be inactive for Monday’s game. Inactives included safety Thomas Harper, running back Craig Reynolds, center Kingsley Eguakun, and defensive linemen Chris Smith and Mekhi Wingo.
Campbell said this week that his team’s defensive players would need to work hard to stay disciplined against a quarterback as talented as Jackson.
“We’re going to have to be on point again,” Campbell said, via USA Today’s Lions Wire. “You can’t paralyze your guys, either. You can’t pull back so far on them that they lose what makes them great players. Or like a guy like (Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch, you’ve just got to be careful.”
Campbell said his players need to stay grounded when facing Jackson, keeping him contained and swarming to tackles.
“So, yes we have to be disciplined … Don’t leave your feet,” Campbell said. “You just keep moving with a base until you get reinforcements, and let’s just close it in on them. That’ll certainly be a point of emphasis.”
The Lions moved to 2-1, tying the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings at the top of the NFC North.
Lions Announce Bad News on Starting Defensive End