With 18 players on injured reserve and a few more that missed last Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions have a rather long list of injured players. Therefore, when head coach Dan Campbell spoke to media on Monday afternoon, he was asked for injury updates in addition to a preview of the team’s game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Here is what Campbell had to say about the guys that were hurt or missed last Thursday night’s game.
I’m not sure, but I’m aware that it’s much more favourable for all of our players. Everyone is getting better. “We’ve improved since last week,” Campbell remarked. “I’m not sure how many we’ll get back yet, and to be honest, I might not know exactly where we are until Thursday of this week. Although I feel better about Taylor Decker, I still need to see him. The d-line is also changing. It’s possible that Levi (Onwuzurike) will return. As long as he can clear, that sounds OK. (Alim McNeill) Mac needs to pass protocol and everything, but he didn’t back down. However, some of these will just take time to resolve.”
After missing the game against the Packers in the first half, coming back, and ultimately being ruled out for the second half, Campbell announced that Alim McNeill is in concussion protocol. Josh Paschal, a defensive lineman, was not particularly mentioned by Campbell when he listed the players who were not present at last week’s game. We can hypothetically put him in the same situation as Levi Onwuzurike, with a chance to play versus the Bills, but only time will tell if that is noteworthy as the week progresses.
Next, a question concerning players on injured leave who might make a comeback this season was posed to Campbell. “We’ll have that conversation about (Ennis) Rakestraw and Iffy (Melifonwu) next week, because that’ll be through their four-week period,” Campbell stated. “Alex (Anzalone) seems to be on track to finish this season on time. We are happy to have him back, even though it might be the final game or not until the playoffs. In my opinion, Alex is most likely in that boat with Kalif (Raymond). After that, Jalen Reeves-Maybin is doing better, although things are moving slowly at the moment. I have no idea where he might be. We might be able to obtain him in a few weeks, but we might not.
Campbell was questioned about Aidan Hutchison, a topic recently stoked by a report from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer on Sunday regarding a revised potential return timeframe. To be honest, I was in the same place when the accident occurred, which is simply to say, ‘Look, this is a severe thing.’ It is, but knowing him, I would never rule him out,” Campbell remarked. He is working and making progress, but I am unable to provide you with a timeframe. And if anyone could make it, it would be him, though I’m not sure if he will have the time.”
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