When the Detroit Lions chose not to make significant additions to their pass rush rotation in the offseason, a big factor was their hope that defensive lineman Marcus Davenport would contribute at a high level.
In the first two weeks of the season, they were somewhat proven right as Davenport looked like an impactful defender in his two starts. That unfortunately didn't last long as he suffered a pectoral injury in Week 2 and landed on the injured reserve list right after. The fact that the 29-year-old defensive end had missed all but two games last season with a triceps injury only added to the frustration of the fanbase.
Davenport has yet to be activated from the IR list, and the updates about his status haven't been particularly encouraging. On Tuesday, head coach Dan Campbell revealed the latest on Davenport, saying that he doesn't know when the veteran pass rusher will be back, according to A to Z Sports' Mike Payton. The 49-year-old HC added that Davenport will be back this season, but he doesn't know an exact date.
Marcus Davenport's Injury Continues to Frustrate Lions Fans
When Davenport landed on the IR, Campbell announced that he didn't think the injury would be season-ending. In his update two weeks ago, he said that Davenport was "doing well, getting better," while refusing to provide a timeline, per Detroit Free Press' Rainer Sabin. He only said that he doesn't see him getting off the injured reserve just yet.
The fact that Campbell still doesn't have a better idea for what the recovery timetable looks like is definitely concerning.
If the Lions don't expect Davenport to return to action any time soon, they need to come to terms with the reality. Instead of obscuring the severity of his injury, the Lions would be wise to address their need at pass rush, especially with only one week left before the trade deadline.
Aidan Hutchinson is back to Defensive Player of the Year form, and Al-Quadin Muhammad has emerged as a quality starter, but the depth behind them is questionable. If Hutchinson and Muhammad stay healthy the rest of the way, the Lions will be completely fine. Otherwise, they will seriously regret signing Davenport to another contract after he missed most of last season.
It must be a frustrating journey for Davenport, who hasn't been able to play more than four games in a season since the 2022 campaign. Let's hope that is not the case this season, as the Lions will almost certainly need more bodies in the pass rush during their hopefully long postseason run.