The Lions already had their work cut out for them Sunday against the Commanders' loaded defensive line. Now they'll be without two of their starters up front -- maybe three.
All-Pro center Frank Ragnow did not practice this week and has been ruled out of Sunday's game due to groin and foot injuries. Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson missed practice both Thursday and Friday and is questionable for Sunday due to a finger injury. And guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai underwent back surgery last week and remains out for the foreseeable future.
In Washington, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Montez Sweat, who combined for nine quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and two sacks last week, will be licking their chops.
The loss of Ragnow looms large for the Lions. He played through his groin injury in the season-opener, and apparently injured his foot in the process. He was supposed to be the anchor of what was supposed to be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Now he's the biggest hole in what might be the most banged-up line in the league -- in just the second week of the season.
Ragnow also missed most of last season due to a toe injury that required surgery. The Lions turned to Evan Brown in his absence and will surely turn to him again on Sunday. Brown is a capable backup, but limits what the offense can do in comparison to Ragnow.
Things really get dicey if Jackson can't play. The Lions have already turned to backup Logan Stenberg to replace Vaitai, and their other top backup guard, Tommy Kraemer, just landed on the injured reserve with a back injury. Their top options to replace Jackson would either be Drew Forbes, claimed off waivers from the Browns last week, or Kayode Awosika, claimed off the Eagles' practice squad two days ago.
"It changes what we do a little bit," Dan Campbell said of the diminished line, which at least has two healthy tackles in Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. "Just the style at which we need to play. You'll have to shift the burden a little bit, other places of the load to other places on our team, which is OK. It's what we have to do. It's what we're charged with."
Whatever the offensive line looks like Sunday, it should be blocking for D'Andre Swift. But the Lions star running back is listed as questionable himself after rolling his ankle in a highlight performance against the Eagles and missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Swift did practice in a limited capacity Friday and told ESPN on Thursday that he will "most definitely" be ready to play on Sunday.
Trending in the other direction is top cornerback Amani Oruwariye, who's listed as questionable after missing practice Friday with a back injury. If Oruwariye can't go, the Lions might turn to second-year DB Ifeatu Melifonwu who missed the season-opener with a hamstring injury but returned to practice in a limited capacity this week and is questionable for Sunday.
Listen live to 97.1 The Ticket via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
