Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard, proper, plunges into the tip zone for a landing as Denver Broncos linebacker Kwon Alexander defends throughout the second half of an NFL soccer sport Sunday, Nov. Three, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Picture/Stephanie Scarbrough)
DETROIT (AP) — Assistance is on the best way at linebacker for the Detroit Lions.
They desperately want that on the defensive position as properly.
Detroit bolstered its shorthanded linebacker corps on Friday by agreeing to signal veteran Kwon Alexander from Denver's apply squad, based on agent Drew Rosenhaus.
The 30-year-old linebacker has began two video games and performed in one other as a backup this season for the Broncos.
Malcolm Rodriguez suffered a knee damage coach Dan Campbell feared was severe in Thursday's win over Chicago, and the place group has taken quite a lot of hits this season.
Rodriguez was filling in for inside linebacker Alex Anzalone, who’s on injured reserve with a damaged arm and is predicted to be out no less than one other month. Veteran linebackers Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are additionally injured.
The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) host Inexperienced Bay (9-Three) on Thursday night time and will add some determined assistance on protection earlier than taking over the Packers.
Defensive lineman Josh Paschal (knee), Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and Mekhi Wingo (knee) have been injured by the Bears. The place group was decimated, dropping Aidan Hutchinson to a damaged leg together with dropping Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky and Kyle Peko to accidents.
“Whoever we have now obtainable, we are going to put together them to play,” Campbell mentioned. “We count on them to carry the road, interval. It’s a must to do your job and everybody round you is trying to you to do your job.”
what's up
To run the ball. Although Detroit's 25-game NFL dashing landing streak ended towards Chicago, their dynamic backfield duo reveals no indicators of slowing down.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who adopted characters from previous video video games “Sonic and Knuckles” like their nicknames, mixed to hurry for 175 yards on 30 carries towards the Bears.
Gibbs is the primary participant in franchise historical past to have greater than 70 yards dashing in every of the primary 12 video games.
Montgomery joined Corridor of Famer Barry Sanders (1990) and Billy Sims (1981, 1980) because the three Lions to have greater than 700 yards dashing, greater than 275 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns of their first 12 video games.
Which wants assist
Pink zone offense. The Lions have been 2 of 5 within the crimson zone towards Chicago and settling for subject objectives towards higher groups can result in a loss.
Provide
DJ Reader. Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes made it a precedence to signal the veteran defensive sort out, and it was straightforward to see why. The 6-foot-Three, 335-pound Reader can do greater than occupy offensive linemen and stuff the run. He has three sacks, a single-season profession excessive. Reader tied a profession excessive with two sacks, a complete he hasn't hit since 2018, three quarterback hits and 4 tackles towards Chicago.
Inventory down
Jameson Williams. His expertise, as proven by beating a defensive again who was nearly standing upright, was by no means unsure. Questions on his maturity will proceed to linger after his newest mistake, throwing the soccer in entrance of a Bears participant on the sideline with out his helmet on.
Williams provided an unsolicited apology to the group after the sport.
“That is massive” Campbell mentioned. “That’s progress. So, all good.”
damage
Along with the aforementioned illnesses, offensive sort out Taylor Decker together with cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Emmanuel Moseley have been inactive with accidents because the Lions snapped a seven-game dropping streak on Thanksgiving.
Key quantity
12 – The Lions have their greatest report after 12 video games with a franchise-record 10-game profitable streak. They broke a group mark and tied the 1934 group, which began 10-Zero and completed 10-Three.
Subsequent steps
Observe squad poaching defensive linemen to no less than add depth to a place decimated by a slew of accidents earlier than internet hosting the Packers in a doubtlessly pivotal sport within the NFC North race.