Marcus Davenport looked like a smart addition for the Lions through his first two games. He might not play for the team again.
The veteran defensive end suffered "a serious and significant elbow injury" in the Lions' Week 3 win over the Cardinals, per Ian Rapoport. Davenport is undergoing more tests, but "could be lost for the season." Dan Campbell confirmed Monday afternoon that it "looks like that’s a season-ender."
It's the latest injury blow for Davenport, who's had trouble staying healthy in the NFL. He was limited to four games last season with the Vikings after an ankle sprain that required surgery and battled various injuries over his five-year career with the Saints, who drafted him in the first round in 2018.
Davenport signed a one-year $6.5 million deal with Detroit this offseason, with $3 million guaranteed. Losing him will hurt the defense up front. He's been a powerful edge-setting presence opposite Aidan Hutchinson, which the Lions sorely lacked last season.
Campbell said Josh Paschal, a former third-round pick who's yet to break out in the NFL, is one of the players who will have to emerge in Davenport's absence.
"This is going to be big for him. He’s going to take a load over there now. And he played an outstanding game, by the way. I thought he played really well yesterday, he was physical, continues to grow. We’re going to need him to step up and I have all the faith in the world that he will," Campbell said.