Amid Latest Injuries, Lions Have a Full Defensive Unit Sidelined

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell walks across the field in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., on Dec. 15, 2024. Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

In the Detroit Lions (12–2) best season in franchise history, the injury list now amounts to nearly a whole defensive unit and head coach Dan Campbell has a few things to say about it.

“We acknowledge the fact that, man, we’ve lost players … but nobody cares,” Campbell told reporters on Monday. “Nobody is going to give us a pass or put an asterisk next to your record, so what it means is some guys are going to have an unbelievable opportunity because of what has happened.”

Three more defensive players and an offensive star went down on Sunday in a 48–42 loss to the Buffalo Bills (11–3). The Lions’ growing injury list includes 13 players on defense sidelined and enough at each position group to field a full 11-man defensive unit.

“Those guys helped us get to this point, so we owe it to them,” Campbell said regarding the latest defensive injuries. “They laid it on the line for us.”

Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill tore his ACL; cornerback Carlton Davis III fractured his jaw, and fellow cornerback Kahili Dorsey suffered a leg injury on Sunday. That’s in addition to 10 defensive players already out, starting with defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson (tibia/fibula), Marcus Davenport (triceps), plus defensive tackles John Cominsky (knee), Mekhi Wingo (knee), and Kyle Peko (pectoral).

The Lions have also lost linebackers Derrick Barnes (knee), Alex Anzalone (forearm), Malcolm Rodriguez (knee), and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck). Detroit’s secondary already had cornerback Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (undisclosed) sidelined.

NFL teams normally have three full defensive units and a handful of fourth-stringers, plus defensive players on the practice squad. The Lions have been tough on defense all season regardless of health and who’s playing amid 20.1 points and 350.7 yards per game allowed.

“We’ve got options … and we’ll find the best combination of guys and go from there,” Campbell said about the team’s defensive depth.

On offense, the Lions took a big hit on Sunday when running back David Montgomery suffered a season-ending MCL tear. The Lions previously lost wide receiver Khalif Raymond to a foot injury.

Montgomery marks one of the team’s biggest injury losses this season. He had 775 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on 185 carries, plus 36 catches for 341 yards.

“He’s going to require surgery that’ll put him out for the rest of the year,” Campbell said of Montgomery. “We’re going to miss him, man. He’s another one of these guys that got us to this position, helped get us to where we’re at.

“We owe him to keep going … and make sure that wasn’t in vain.”

On defense, Hutchinson has headlined the Lions’ injury losses for much of the season. He had 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and 19 tackles in five games before the injury.

McNeill also leaves a void amid 3.5 sacks, 25 tackles, and a forced fumble in 14 games. Davis likewise was one of the Lions’ better defensive performers with 56 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 13 games.

In addition to the injuries, the Lions no longer sit alone at the top of the NFC after the loss to the Bills. The Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) swooped in to tie the Lions for the top spot in the standings, but the Lions own the tiebreaker at the moment.

“We’ll bounce back from this,” Campbell said. “Sometimes you got to get punched in the face … before you know how to respond. This is good for us, and we’re going to use this to our advantage and get ready for a division opponent on the road.”