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The #2 injury story of the year is the totality of the Lions defense which took massive losses over the course of the year. Both quality and quantity of players were impacted.
No. 10: Alex Anzalone's forearm
No. 9: Ifeatu Melifonwu's turbulent year
No. 8: Christian Mahogany's delayed debut
No. 7: James Houston's ill-fated comeback
No. 6: David Montgomery's mysterious knee
No. 5: Carlton Davis jaw fracture
No. 4: The fortuitous offense
No. 3: Alim McNeill's knee
The team was impressively able to overcome the numerous absences during the regular season to still earn a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. But the injuries caught up to them in the playoffs, as the defense could not slow down the Commanders.
Here is the list of key defensive players who missed time during the season:
Yes, there were a couple. Kerby Joseph and Jack Campbell played all 18 games without any signs of significant injury. But it was revealed recently that Campbell ended up needing hip surgery after the season. While he reassuringly stated that the surgery was minor, his status during training camp will be worth watching.
Intriguingly, Joseph had hip surgery in the previous offseason, and then recovered nicely to have an All-Pro season. Lions fans can hope that Campbell follows that same path.
Last year's calamitous number of injuries will impact the 2025 season as well. These players may not be ready for the start of the 2025 season:
While the rest of the injured defensive players are expected to be ready for the 2025 season, there are still some lingering concerns. Many players did not finish last season due to injury which means there is no evidence of quality of recovery. Residual effects are always possible, and there is no guarantee of a return to prior level of production.
On a positive note, the law of probabilities gives good odds that the 2025 season will be a much healthier one for the Lions defense.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Top 10 Lions injury news from 2024 - No. 2: Defensive calamity
Continue reading...
No. 10: Alex Anzalone's forearm
No. 9: Ifeatu Melifonwu's turbulent year
No. 8: Christian Mahogany's delayed debut
No. 7: James Houston's ill-fated comeback
No. 6: David Montgomery's mysterious knee
No. 5: Carlton Davis jaw fracture
No. 4: The fortuitous offense
No. 3: Alim McNeill's knee
The team was impressively able to overcome the numerous absences during the regular season to still earn a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. But the injuries caught up to them in the playoffs, as the defense could not slow down the Commanders.
Here is the list of key defensive players who missed time during the season:
- (In parentheses are the number of full games missed due to injury including playoffs.)
- Starters entering the season are highlighted in bold.
PLAYERS WHO WERE OUT FOR THE PLAYOFF GAME
- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE (13) - Left tib/fib fracture
- Alim McNeill, DT (4) - Right ACL
- Carlton Davis, CB (5) - Jaw fracture
- Marcus Davenport, EDGE (16) - Left triceps
- Derrick Barnes, LB (15) - Right MCL/PCL
- John Cominsky, EDGE (18) - MCL
- Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (8) - Right ACL & left ankle
- Kyle Peko, DT (14)- Left pec
- Khalil Dorsey, CB (4) - Right tib/fib fracture
- Mekhi Wingo, DT (7)- Right knee meniscus
- Ennis Rakestraw, CB (10) - Hamstring
- Pat O'Connor, DT (1) - Calf
PLAYERS WHO WERE HURT DURING THE PLAYOFF GAME
- Amik Robertson, CB (0) - Left humerus fracture early in the 1st quarter
- Ifeatu Melifonwu, S (14) - Hamstring in 3rd quarter. In regular season, ankle and hand.
PLAYERS WHO MISSED SIGNIFICANT TIME DURING THE REGULAR SEASON
- Alex Anzalone, LB (6) - Left forearm fracture
- Josh Paschal, EDGE (3) - Shoulder mass excision & right knee
- Brodric Martin, DT (10) - Right knee
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB (7) - Neck
- Emmanuel Moseley, CB (16) - Pec rupture, hamstring, illness
DID ANY STARTERS GET THROUGH THE SEASON CLEAN?
Yes, there were a couple. Kerby Joseph and Jack Campbell played all 18 games without any signs of significant injury. But it was revealed recently that Campbell ended up needing hip surgery after the season. While he reassuringly stated that the surgery was minor, his status during training camp will be worth watching.
Intriguingly, Joseph had hip surgery in the previous offseason, and then recovered nicely to have an All-Pro season. Lions fans can hope that Campbell follows that same path.
IMPACT ON 2025 SEASON
Last year's calamitous number of injuries will impact the 2025 season as well. These players may not be ready for the start of the 2025 season:
- The late-season ACL tears of McNeill (December 15) and Rodriguez (November 28) mean that they will very likely start the season on PUP (physically unable to perform list) and miss a big portion of next season. Their rough projected return dates are November 2 for Rodriguez and November 16 for McNeill. Even when they return, it will take time to ramp-up to their previous level.
- Wingo's knee meniscus injury on November 28 was expected to take about 6 months, but he was still not ready for OTA in June. His status at the start of training camp will be one to watch.
- Dorsey's tib/fib fracture on December 15 should recovery fully soon, but he was not yet ready at June OTA. There is chance he could start the season on PUP.
While the rest of the injured defensive players are expected to be ready for the 2025 season, there are still some lingering concerns. Many players did not finish last season due to injury which means there is no evidence of quality of recovery. Residual effects are always possible, and there is no guarantee of a return to prior level of production.
On a positive note, the law of probabilities gives good odds that the 2025 season will be a much healthier one for the Lions defense.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Top 10 Lions injury news from 2024 - No. 2: Defensive calamity
Continue reading...