Lions lose two key defenders for extended period

McNeill suffered an ACL tear, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Davis, meanwhile, is dealing with a fractured jaw. As a result, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports he will be out for the next six weeks.

Both players exited Sunday’s game with their respective injuries, and head coach Dan Campbell expressed doubt that either of them would be available the rest of the way. That has been confirmed in McNeill’s case, and the news of his injury deals a significant blow to Detroit’s defensive front (a unit that is already highly short-handed along the edge). 

The 24-year-old posted 3.5 sacks this season, meaning he would have had a chance at surpassing his previous career high of 5.0 — set last year — had he remained healthy. This is the first major injury of his career.

McNeill’s ACL tear comes shortly after he agreed to a four-year extension, a deal which made him one of several impact players who have landed a new Lions contract recently. The former third-rounder was on track to hit free agency this spring before that deal was worked out; his market value no doubt would have been lower given this injury had he and the team waited until the end of the campaign to negotiate. 

Instead, McNeill (who is under contract through 2028 with an AAV of $24.25M) will be unavailable during Detroit’s closing regular-season games and postseason run.

Schefter notes Davis will undergo surgery, and his rehab after that procedure will be key in determining if he can play again this season. Rapoport’s six-week timeline would line Davis up exactly with the NFC title game if it were to hold (and if, of course, the Lions were to progress to that point). 

In the meantime, the team will move forward with a short-handed secondary while attempting to earn the top seed in the conference and the much-needed bye that would accompany it.

Davis was acquired via trade as part of Detroit’s efforts to produce improved play at the CB spot. The former Buccaneer has delivered a pair of interceptions, 11 pass deflections and two fumble recoveries in his debut Lions campaign, making him a key figure on defense. 

His absence will be felt over the closing weeks of the regular season on a unit that already sits only 26th in the league against the pass (and which lost Khalil Dorsey for the season on Sunday). The struggles in that department could very well continue with Davis not being in the picture.

The Lions have been atop the NFC for most of the year, but they have been unable to generate a cushion given the strength of the NFC North and the play of the Eagles. Detroit’s loss leaves the team even at 12-2 with Philadelphia; Minnesota would match that record with a win on Monday night. 

The race for the top seed in the conference will, therefore, remain tight through to the end of the regular season, but the Lions defense will increasingly rely on backups over that span.