Lions get defensive silver lining after Marcus Davenport injury

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that Davenport is most likely out for the year, via Sports Illustrated’s Christopher Booher.

“Davenport will be out, looks like that’s a season-ender there,” Campbell said. “Still getting some other opinions on that.”

Additionally, linebacker Derrick Barnes will be out for several weeks with a knee injury after a low block from Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. However, Campbell doesn’t know if the 25-year-old will go on injured reserve.

“We’re not gonna know on that, we’re still getting second opinions on that,” Campbell said. “What we know right now is he’s gonna be down for a little while. We know that, and then it’s just a matter of, once these opinions come back, how long is that gonna be? It’s the knee, so is he gonna need something done other than one of the ligaments? And can it scar in? Can these ligaments scar in and everything will be good, just needs time? We know he’s gonna need to be down for a little while while the knee heals, and then once it heals, is he gonna need surgery?”

With Barnes and Alex Anzalone now out, backups like Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and Ben Niemann will get more snaps.

“We’ve got a lot of depth, we trust every one of those players in there,” Campbell explained. “It hurts, it’s gonna hurt to lose Barnes. Barnes is playing at a high level, but if it’s gotta happen in any room, the linebacker room gives you faith because all those guys can play. We have a ton of faith in those guys.”

Barnes already had 10 tackles on the year, along with 81 last season.

Meanwhile, nickelback Brian Branch may miss time after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. Detroit’s depth will certainly be tested on the defensive side of the ball over the coming weeks.