Detroit Lions injury report: Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Detroit Lions will be without several important players in week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons with another starter’s status up in the air.

As the NFL season wears on, injuries begin to pile up. The Detroit Lions are no exception to this rule, as their victory last week against the New York Giants came at the expense of some key players.

STATUS: OUT

LB Jarrad Davis

Rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis will miss his first game due a brain injury suffered Monday night. A controversial block (in the back?) from Odell Beckham Jr. led Davis’ head into the oncoming leg of running back Paul Perkins. Davis did not return to the game. Beckham was neither penalized nor flagged for the play.

Davis has played exceptionally well through the first two games of his NFL career, and his absence is a major concern. He is the quarterback of the defense and leads the team in tackles through two weeks.

Next Man Up: Tahir Whitehead/Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Jalen Reeves-Maybin filled in adequately when Davis left the game Monday night, notching two tackles, but most of his action this season has been on special teams. Veteran Tahir Whitehead, who has experience at the middle linebacker position and calling plays for the defense, may have to move back inside against the Falcons.

As Tim Twentyman notes, the strategy that Teryl Austin employs will most likely be dictated by matchups and game flow.

S Tavon Wilson

Tavon Wilson injured his shoulder on Monday night after playing 23 snaps, and did not practice in any capacity this week. Miles Killebrew played admirably in relief of Wilson against the Giants, and is set to make his first career NFL start.

RB Dwayne Washington

Dwayne Washington is hampered by a quadriceps injury that prevented him from practicing at all this week. It seems likely that Zach Zenner, a healthy scratch for the first two weeks of the season, will suit up in his place.

STATUS: QUESTIONABLE

C Travis Swanson

Swanson injured his ankle Monday night and is officially designated as questionable against the Falcons. Swanson’s case is unique; he suffered the injury in the first quarter against the Giants but played every single snap on offense, yet missed practice each day this week. In the Caldwell era, no practice usually means that a player will not suit up come Sunday. The “questionable” tag for Swanson offers a ray of hope, as Kyle Meinke believes that Swanson’s experience can afford him to miss practice and be ready for game action.

Ezekiel Ansah (knee) and Joe Dahl (lower leg) are also listed as questionable but are both expected to play after practicing in a limited basis this week.

Next: Who are the 2017 Detroit Lions?

Falcons Injuries

The Lions will not be the only team without key contributors on Sunday. The Falcons will be without the services of All-Pro defensive end Vic Beasley, who lowered the boom on Aaron Rodgers last week before injuring his hamstring, and starting right tackle Ryan Schraeder due to a concussion.