The Detroit Lions escaped Thanksgiving Day with a nail-biting win over the Chicago Bears, but, unfortunately, they couldn’t escape another injury-filled game. The defense, in particular, got it hard—yet again—and based on updates from Lions coach Dan Campbell, it certainly sounds like some players will miss some time moving forward.
Let’s break it all down.
DL Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike
Paschal was the first player to go down with an injury after chasing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams out of the pocket. He lost control of his body and fell to the floor.
Josh Paschal knee injury video
-Not much on vid. Looks like take hard step onto right leg towards the end. Hope just mild bone bruise. pic.twitter.com/mSe6MufpRE— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 28, 2024
He eventually walked off under his own power, went to the locker room, and returned to the sideline with a tape job around his right knee. But when the team went to the locker room for halftime, he did not return and was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury.
Right near the end of the first half, Levi Onwuzurike also suffered an injury after being tossed into the turf:
Levi Onwuzurike L knee injury video
-Slight varus strain of knee. Could be lateral ligaments strain or patella tendon strain pic.twitter.com/fCMSoWN2mM— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 28, 2024
When the team emerged from halftime, Onwuzurike was declared out for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury.
After the game, Campbell downplayed the severity of both injuries but noted that they could miss time.
“I feel like it’ll be okay,” Campbell said. “It could be a little bit. They could be down for a bit.”
If they miss time, it’ll be a tough blow to an already thin defensive end room. Detroit is expected to be without Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Derrick Barnes for the rest of the year. For the game, the Lions had to rely on the likes of Za’Darius Smith, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Mekhi Wingo to take care of the edges.
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
Malcolm Rodriguez R knee injury video
-No good replay. R knee might buckle a bit. Main concern is ACL. pic.twitter.com/vwPLZIjLIQ— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 28, 2024
The injuries did not stop in the second half, and it appears linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez may have gotten the worst of it with what is initially being called a knee injury. Campbell was not optimistic about his diagnosis.
“I’ll be honest with you, I think Rodrigo’s the one that could be the worst,” Campbell said. “And I don’t know how significant it’ll be just yet, but he’s the one I fear a little bit.”
Detroit is already down several starting and reserve linebackers, with Barnes, Alex Anzalone, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin currently on injured reserve. The Lions did recently sign David Long Jr. to the 53-man roster and he got plenty of playing time on Thursday. So don’t be surprised to see the Lions lean on him even more going forward.
CB Emmanuel Moseley
Moseley was a shocking inactive at the start of this game, considering the Lions were already down cornerback Carlton Davis. Campbell said he was dealing with something pre-game, and the team didn’t want to push it.
“Moseley, pre-game, had something pop up, and we just didn’t feel good about him having to go—having enough to really go full speed,” Campbell said. “That’s really what that came down to. So, obviously, we got out of this game without him getting any worse, so that’s a positive.”
It’s unclear what Moseley’s status is going forward, but the Lions relied heavily on rookie Terrion Arnold and Kindle Vildor for most of this game, with a little Khalil Dorsey mixed in.
There were other nicks and bruises along the way, but none appeared to be too significant. Za’Darius Smith was dealing with cramps late in the game. Mekhi Wingo returned to the game after being declared questionable with a knee injury.
