With their devastating loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving behind them, the Detroit Lions have officially entered panic mode. Now the eighth seed with a 7-5 record heading into Week 14, the Lions are on the outside looking in on the playoffs, meaning changes need to be made immediately.
The Lions' defense, which played great at the start of the season, has struggled since returning from the bye week. In the last five games, the Lions’ defense has allowed an average of 24.6 points, 126.0 rushing yards, and has accumulated just 10 sacks.
As a result, the Lions have made numerous changes to the defense in an attempt to ignite a spark. One of which was cutting defensive end Tyler Lacy’s playing time, as he was listed as a healthy scratch against the Packers.
Tyler Lacy's Lions Future Is Officially in Jeopardy
With defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal both injured, the Lions relied on Lacy to be the backup to starter Al-Quadin Muhammad earlier in the season. Despite carving a consistent role as a rotational player, Lacy wasn’t much of a factor, leading to his play declining as time passed, as he's averaged 19.5 defensive snaps in his last two outings compared to 25.9 in the first seven.
In nine games, Lacy recorded just 19 total tackles, one sack, and two quarterback hits. His 60.8 Pro Football Focus grade ranks 73rd out of 112 edge rushers, whereas his 51.9 pass rush grade ranks 104th. While Lacy proved to be a solid run defender, recording nine stops, he was ineffective in creating pressure, logging just four hurries — including just one since Week 6.
Since the Lions registered just three sacks in the last three games, the team ultimately decided to bench Lacy and turn to Tyrus Wheat and Marcus Davenport as their backups moving forward. Wheat, despite playing in just 28 defensive snaps, has more sacks (1.5) than Lacy to go along with 11 total tackles and one forced fumble. Although he didn’t play a single defensive snap, he’s played a vital role on special teams, recording seven tackles.
Davenport, meanwhile, made his return from injury last Thursday and has essentially taken Lacy’s playing time, appearing in 23 snaps. Although neither player has performed particularly well this season, they’ve proven to be more reliable pass rushers than Lacy.
With the Lions desperately trying to get back to their winning ways, they felt the best way to start winning was by changing things on the defensive line. Going forward, Lacy will have to make every snap count, as it’ll be difficult for him to earn any playing time.
The Lions are stacked with depth on the edge, and both Aidan Hutchinson and Muhammad have been excellent this season. While this doesn’t rule Lacy out from making an impact at some point down the road, it’s likely he won’t have his rotational role back.