The Detroit Lions have largely had good injury luck this season. They have been healthier than most teams through the first eight weeks of the season, which was a nice change of pace from what Lions fans have grown accustomed to over the years. Unfortunately, as is often the case in the NFL, this didn't last very long.
On Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions suffered a litany of injuries. Of course, all eyes are still on Jack Campbell, as we have yet to hear many details, but the preliminary reports are positive. In addition to their star linebacker, the Lions lost rookie Jimmy Rolder for the season on the same play.
By the end of the game, the Lions were severely banged up. DJ Wonnum and Brian Branch were both ruled out with concussions after a collision. Cade Mays was replaced by Juice Scruggs after he suffered an ankle sprain. Jacob Saylors was sidelined with a neck injury. And DJ Reed was limited to 42 defensive snaps after he was forced out of the game with a hip injury.
DJ Reed's Week 9 outlook after hip injury isn't positive
Reed's outlook for Week 9 isn't looking particularly promising. Lions fans were wondering whether the veteran cornerback would suit up against the Dolphins after he was made available in the locker room for post-game remarks. But head coach Dan Campbell poured cold water on that possibility in his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket. (h/t Jeremy Reisman of The Pride of Detroit)
Campbell said, ”Reed’s got a hip. There again, it doesn’t look good for him on Wednesday, for sure. So until I can get more on that, I don’t see where he’s at."
It sounds like Reed will not practice on Wednesday. His status for the rest of the week remains to be seen, but this doesn't sound great from Campbell.
Reed has been the top-graded cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus over the last four weeks. He has been absolutely on fire during Detroit's three-game winning streak. Against the Vikings, Reed had his first interception of the season, while allowing only one reception on five targets.
It's not a coincidence that this has coincided with the Lions' defensive emergence. After having the worst pass defense in the league at the start of the season, Kelvin Sheppard's unit has turned things around.
Fortunately, the Lions don't need Reed to beat the Dolphins on Sunday. Only one team has scored fewer points than Miami this season, and they rank 30th in the league in passing yards.
But the Lions can't afford a long-term absence from Reed as they enter the second half of the season. Especially considering the injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions desperately need their best corner.
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