Information Sourced From: Pro Football Reference, Lions / Vikings Box Score, USA Today, Detroit Lions on X, Detroit Lions Morning Rounds
The Lions showed up to Ford Field this Sunday ready to fight the Minnesota Vikings, and their preparation did not come up empty. The Lions declared victory by a score of 19-15, handing the Vikings their first loss of the season. On the way to the victory they notched 230 rushing yards on the ground, and slowed the blitz of the Vikings. However, multiple injuries were experienced along the way. Let’s dive into the path to victory, and some of the injuries and outlooks.
1st Half Scoring
The Lions came out fighting in the first half, but struggled to convert where it mattered most: in the red zone. The Lions were able to put 6 points on the board, kicking field goals from 25 and 37 yards. The Lions defense played stingy, and held the Vikings offense to a single touchdown. It was just three weeks ago where many of us Lions fans wondered if the Lions could stop anyone. However, they have now shown, three weeks in a row, they are figuring out this defense.
2nd Half Scoring
In the second half the Lions were able to notch two touchdowns in the second half, and really began to move the ball with consistency. The Lions defense played stingy again, only allowing a single touchdown, and sealing the victory. However, they did it in the face of multiple players being removed from the game by injury, and one player being removed from the field on a backboard. This was the Lions we have seen in previous years, not the Lions that we saw in weeks 1-4. They embodied Grit.
Jack Campbell
With 14:48 remaining in the 4th quarter Jack Campbell went in to make a tackle and did not get up. He was down for over ten minutes and ultimately ended up on a backboard, in a neck brace, completely immobilized. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation for a neck injury. As of today at 2:31PM the Lions reported that Jack Campbell continues to rest and heal at the hospital, but that “Preliminary indications are positive”. They cited that they wouldn’t share anymore out of respect to Jack and his family. Coach Campbell also seemed positive about Jack Campbell in his press conference, and asked people to keep praying as it “was working”. I know I kept looking all night and today for updates, and just want him to be ok. Keep Jack and his family in your prayers as they continue to navigate an injury of unknown severity.
Jimmy Rolder
Coach Dan Campbell stated that Jimmy Rolder’s hamstring issue will end his season. This is a sad thing, given he was playing very well given opportunity in the Vikings game. I certainly was enjoying watching Rolder play. Furthermore, with uncertainty around Jack Campbell’s status, the Lions find themselves suddenly at a need for experienced linebackers, though they do still have 5 LBs available (including Joe Bachie on their practice squad).
DJ Reed, DJ Wonnum, Cade Mays, Brian Branch, Jacob Saylers
DJ Reed - Hip - DJ Reed likely will not practice Wednesday per Coach Campbell, but it sounds like this is a short term injury.
Cade May - Ankle - Coach Campbell did not seem to think this injury was serious or long term. Mays is likely out for Wednesday’s practice.
Brian Branch - Concussion - As with Concussion, we don’t know what we don’t know. Coach Campbell said Branch likely won’t practice Wednesday. He would still have time to clear Concussion protocol and play Sunday if he has healed up.
DJ Wonnum - Concussion - Again, we don’t know what we don’t know. Coach Campbell said he was not going to dive into if Wonnum’s concussion was “worse”. It certainly did seem bad as he was quite woozy leaving the field. However, he too could clear protocol in time to play for Sunday.
Jacob Saylers - Neck - Saylers had a neck injury that did not impact his availability for last game. Per Jimmy Liao of Detroit Lions morning rounds, this is likely an aggravation, and given it is mild, he should be ok for Sunday. Coach Campbell did state he likely will sit Wednesday.
I linked Detroit Lions Morning Rounds with Jimmy Liao MD above, please subscribe and check him out. He provides the best Lions injury news hands down. For someone who is not versed in medicine, he makes it very understandable and consumable. All information above was influenced by my reading of his article.
Enter Vaki
On a day where the Lions needed him most, Sione Vaki stepped up. We all know that Jahmyr Gibbs can run like crazy, and he accounted for most of the 230 yards rushing. However, Sione Vaki burst into this game notching 11 attempts for 65 yards, or 5.9 yards per attempt. This is the Sione Vaki we heard about in training camp but had not yet seen. I take back all of my Vaki slander. If he can put up numbers like this, with his punishing run style, he is worthy of the Lions RB2 spot.
A Bittersweet Day
The Lions have done a good job avoiding injury this year, until this game. I am happy the Lions new approach to practice and preparation appears to be working on limiting injuries. However, it was bound to happen. So, while it is awesome to win a division game, and stack three wins in a row, it comes at a price.
At the end of the day, I hope Jack Campbell is OK. If he never steps on a football field again that is OK. He is a man with a family and people who care about him. Who cares about the cap space or contract: the value of a person far surpasses any sum of money. The Lions will figure it out, let’s just all hold out for a full recovery for Jack.