The Detroit Lions are preparing for their biggest game of the season as they’ll take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. While the Lions were without some of their key players for Wednesday’s practice, they did get some reinforcements as Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reed had their 21-day practice windows opened to return to injured reserve.
Reed’s return has been anticipated for a while, but Lions fans could be forgiven if they forgot that Davenport was on the team. Out since Week 2 with a pectoral injury, Davenport told Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman that he “wouldn’t give a timeline for his return to game days, but admitted he’s not a patient person” when it came to getting back on the field.
With those comments, it feels like a reach that Davenport will suit up for the Lions on Sunday. But if he’s trying to return as soon as possible, the Lions may have to save him from himself ahead of the showdown in Philadelphia.
The Lions Need to Be Cautious with Marcus Davenport’s Comeback
Lions fans may appreciate Davenport’s comments, which suggest he’s willing to make up for lost time. But Detroit’s medical staff may need to step in, as his laundry list of injuries suggests he may need the entire 21-day window to get back to being himself.
Davenport originally signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract after coming off an injury-plagued season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. Unfortunately, he lasted just one game before suffering a groin injury, only to then suffer a triceps tear when he tried to come back the following week, which ended his 2024 season after two games.
While many thought Davenport was done in Detroit after the injury, the Lions brought him back on a one-year, $2.5 million contract this past offseason to provide depth along the defensive line. That didn’t even last two games as Davenport suffered a pectoral injury that once again has him working his way back to the lineup.
This isn’t even the brunt of Davenport’s lengthy injury history. Davenport’s missed time was as much of a fall tradition as pumpkin spice lattes since entering the league in 2018, as he'd dealt with toe, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and calf injuries to go along with a 2020 concussion, according to FOX Sports.
In fact, Davenport was in this same position two weeks ago when he was on the verge of having his practice window opened before Dan Campbell told A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton that he didn’t know when the pass rusher would return.
Simply put, Davenport doesn’t sound like a guy you want to rush back onto the field, even if he’s as eager to return as he says he is. The emergence of Al-Quadin Muhammad also gives Detroit the luxury of not needing him as soon as possible and allowing Davenport to use the full 21-day window to make sure he’s healthy for the stretch run.
It may not help whatever impatience Davenport has as he looks to return to the field. But it would be in the best interest of the Lions to let it play out and see if the 29-year-old is ready to return to the field.