Information Sourced From: Detroit Lions on X (1) (2), Pro Football Reference, Pride of Detroit
Maddox to Have Season Ending Surgery
Things in the Lions defensive back room haven’t started the year off on a good note. They have looked, to put it lightly, out of place, out gunned, and undermanned. So the fact that I am bringing you negative news isn’t something that I look forward to, but here we go. Coach Dan Campbell reported today that the foot injury Avonte Maddox suffered during the bills would require season ending surgery. This just adds another problem the Lions are going to have to overcome on defense. To be clear Maddox hadn’t looked very good to this point. However, losing a veteran presence in this room isn’t the type of “help” the Lions need right now.
Bring In The Workouts
Per Pride of Detroit the Lions worked out Mike Edwards, Jordan Fuller, and Jalen Mills. Shortly after the workout, the Lions opted to sign Jalen Mills to the practice squad. Mills played in three games for the Lions next year, and to be quite honest, his stats were nothing to write home about. However, I tend to believe that this is just adding veteran leadership to a room that is struggling harder than any part of the defense (and not to mention they lost a veteran leader).
Furthermore, the Lions can, and likely will, add additional bodies to their defensive backfield. I expect that Maddox will be placed on IR tomorrow, and likely the Lions will sign someone to fill that roster spot. I also expect the Lions are calling around, and looking at further free agents to help out their struggling defense. Now, I know, a lot of people have stated that you are not going to find good talent at this time of year. There is truth to that. However, it can also be said that when a veteran free agent is deployed correctly, to their strengths, they can be a productive member of a defense.
Branch and Joseph Not Returning to Practice Yet
In yet another blow to the hopes of the Lions defense getting better, Coach Dan Campbell stated in his press conference today that neither Brian Branch nor Kirby Joseph would return to practice this week. He did state that Branch is still further along than Kirby, but they were still working to get Kirby’s knee as strong as it can be. I have nothing to add other than that this is disappointing, to say the least.
So What Now For the Lions Defense
So what now for the Lions defense? The same thing as yesterday. Focus on getting better and shut out the media and fan noise. The truth is we are sitting on a top end offense, who has looked better this year than last and has scored over 30 points each game thus far. Silver and Blues contributor MCBC made a fair point in discussion today: the Lions don’t NEED a top 15 defense. They need the 20th or 22nd defense. If you pair that with said top offense: the Lions can still be competitive. It surely isn’t the way anyone imagined it, but it’s the truth of the matter.
This defensive must create QB pressures 1st and foremost. And then what's left of the DB room just needs to take advantage of poorly thrown balls due to said pressure.