The Detroit Lions’ season is officially coming down to the wire, and things may have reached a crisis stage during a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers. While big plays allowed by the secondary and cracks in the interior of the offensive line have been issues all year long, the return of defensive end Marcus Davenport didn’t match the hype as the pass rusher returned from a pectoral injury.
Davenport made a rare appearance for the Lions, but fans may have had to pay attention to see him on the field. While his 23 snaps were the second-most among edge rushers, he wasn’t effective with his opportunities, logging just one pressure on 17 pass-rushing snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
It’s another small sample size, but Davenport clearly hasn’t been what the Lions have expected. With another injury seemingly imminent, the Lions should be on high alert for the next letdown and shouldn’t let their previous commitments hurt an endangered push to the playoffs.
Marcus Davenport’s Return Fails to Pay Off Lions’ Investment
The Lions put a lot into Davenport over the past two years, but they haven’t gotten much in return. Davenport initially signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Lions ahead of the 2024 season, but he lasted just two games before suffering a torn triceps. Detroit tried to recoup its losses by giving Davenport a one-year, $2.5 million contract this offseason, and that lasted just one game before he suffered a groin injury in Week 1 and another game before his latest pectoral injury.
While Davenport had plenty to prove going into Thursday’s game, he wasn’t able to validate the investment the Lions have been putting into him. Furthermore, his lackluster performance also took snaps away from Al-Quadin Muhammad, who played just 19 total snaps to Davenport’s 23 against the Packers.
There’s also the long list of injuries that predated his time with the Lions. In his previous five seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2019-22) and Minnesota Vikings (2023), Davenport has been off the field more than he’s been on it, raising the question of when the next injury is going to strike.
The Lions are going to need Davenport down the stretch, but it’s not a given that he’ll give them what they need to be successful. With a $2.5 million salary, the Lions don’t owe Davenport anything – especially when it comes at the expense of their more successful edge rushers.
With the season on the line, the Lions need more from everyone. But Davenport is running out of time to show his worth, and it could have him looking for another team foolish enough to take on the risk.