The Detroit Lions might catch the Green Bay Packers at the right time.
The Lions open the 2025 regular season at Lambeau Field against the division rival Packers, who are dealing with a troubling number of injuries less than four weeks before the season kicks off on Sept. 7.
On Monday, the Packers announced quarterback Jordan Love (left thumb) will undergo surgery to repair a ligament but should be available for Week 1.
Per ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky, Love suffered his injury on his final snap against the New York Jets during Saturday's preseason opener.
Packers Wire's Zach Kruse noted other Packers currently missing practice due to injuries, including safety Xavier McKinney, wide receiver Jayden Reed, and cornerback Nate Hobbs.
Definitely not ideal that four of the Packers most important players -- Jordan Love, Xavier McKinney, Jayden Reed and Nate Hobbs -- are hurt and missing a lot of practice time ahead of Week 1.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) August 12, 2025
Lions Are Painfully Familiar With the Injury Bug
Green Bay won't find much sympathy from Detroit, which had arguably the most injury misfortune a season ago, when it had a staggering 21 players on injured reserve following Week 15.
As arguably the Lions' main competition for the NFC North title, a hobbled Packers could give Detroit an early leg up in the division race.
McKinney, a 2024 Pro Bowler, is dealing with a calf injury that is expected to sideline him for the rest of training camp and the preseason.
Wide receiver Jayden Reed suffered a leg injury against the Jets, leaving the stadium in a walking boot. The team is also without wideout Christian Watson, who is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL on Jan. 5, 2025 during a Week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Hobbs, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract during free agency in March, recently underwent knee surgery, with the team optimistic he'll be ready for Week 1.
The Lions swept the season series against the Packers for the second time in three years last season. In their last seven meetings, Detroit leads, 6-1. It's won three consecutive games at Lambeau Field, the franchise's longest streak since 1986-89. The Lions haven't won four consecutive at Green Bay since the 1950s, when they won five consecutive from 1950-54. (h/t Stathead)
With a little over three weeks to go until the regular season begins, the Packers have time to get healthy before the crucial Week 1 tilt.
But until they do, the Lions should be expected to begin 2025 with a roar.