The Detroit Lions' loss of defensive tackle Marcus Davenport isn't going to have as much of an impact on the team's defensive front as some had suggested.
While it was just one game, the pressure that Detroit was able to get on Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson in Monday's 38-30 win was as impressive as any defense has managed to get on the former NFL MVP. For just the second time in his career, Jackson was sacked seven times in a game as the Lions matched the mark the Pittsburgh Steelers set against the Ravens star back in 2021.
After bringing down Jackson seven times in the win, any questions about the pass rush or the depth up front for Detroit have been answered. Now, the question seems to be whether there will even be a place on the roster for Davenport once he is healthy.
Marcus Davenport Already an Afterthought After Lions' Week 3 Showing
Perhaps the biggest reason why Davenport is fading from the memory of Lions fans is the breakout performance from Al-Quadin Muhammad. After recording no statistics in the season opener, the 30-year-old pass rusher has been on a tear the last two weeks, racking up eight tackles and 3.5 sacks.
On top of that, Muhammad's 82.1 overall and 80.9 pass rush grades rank 16th- and 14th-best, respectively, among 153 exterior defenders on Pro Football Focus. For comparison, Davenport owns grades of 62.8 (76th) and 65.2 (63rd) — not the worst, but not great, either.
If his impressive effort on the field wasn't enough to immediately turn him into a fan favorite in Detroit, the message Muhammad shared with his teammates in the locker room following the victory certainly had the rest of the roster fired up and ready to get back after it in Week 4.
“I want to thank every player, every coach, everybody that’s in this organization. Because about a year ago, I was home. I was on the couch,” Muhammad said, (h/t @FootballGuy_Al). “So, if you get a (EXPLETIVE) opportunity, make sure you take advantage of it. I want to also thank the guys in my room for helping me out this week. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did.”
These comments alone show that Muhammad is a Dan Campbell-style of football player if there ever was one. With how he's attacked every opportunity that's come his way on the field over the last two weeks, coupled with the emotion he brings to the table, the hope has to be that his attitude and approach to his craft are infectious throughout the locker room.
Davenport's lack of availability over the last two seasons has made it so that the franchise simply cannot depend on him, which is why Muhammad's breakout is a welcome sight not only for Campbell but Lions fans throughout the Motor City.
If things don't change and Muhammad continues to impress, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes will have an easier time letting Davenport walk as a free agent in March.