Detroit Lions: Top 5 Players to Watch in Second Half of 2014
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) runs with the ball after getting away from Detroit Lions linebacker Kyle Van Noy (95) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
3. Kyle Van Noy
The Detroit Lions are expected to activate outside linebacker, Kyle Van Noy off of short-term injured reserve just in time for the teams match-up with the Miami Dolphins in week 10.
Also, Kyle Van Noy is expected to be activated this week off short-term IR.
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) November 1, 2014
Van Noy was taken by Detroit in the second-round of the NFL Draft and was expected to start immediately in 2014. Things didn’t go exactly as everyone hoped they would however. Van Noy would end up sidelined for 10 weeks with a sports hernia injury.
Fellow linebackers Tahir Whitehead and Ashlee Palmer have filled in for the former BYU Cougar with mixed results. The defensive squad also lost their captain in week two when Stephen Tulloch went down with a freak knee injury that would ultimately end the veterans season.
When Van Noy re-enters the system in Detroit I expect him to have major success. New defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin has turned the Detroit Lions D into a unit that demands respect. They are near the top of every major defensive category and should continue to improve even more as the season goes on.
Van Noy will bring excellent pass rushing and blitzing ability to the table and should also be able to help with the teams struggles with covering opponents in the flats.
Once Van Noy is back up to speed, he will be a sight worth watching.