For the third year in a row, Marcus Davenport is headed to injured reserve. The Lions are holding out hope he'll return this season.
The Lions have placed Davenport on IR due to the chest injury he suffered in Week 2 against the Bears while sacking Caleb Williams, meaning he'll miss at least the next four games. By the time he's eligible to return, Davenport will have missed 32 of his team's last 40 games.
Davenport missed most of last season due to a torn triceps and most of the prior season with the Vikings due to an injured ankle, needing surgery in both cases. Unlike the last two years, there's a chance he could recover and play again this season.
"We do not feel this is season-ending," Dan Campbell said over the weekend after Davenport got a series of tests and second opinions.
Davenport, 29, was supposed to be the Lions' top edge-rusher this season opposite Aidan Hutchinson. They brought him back on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, worth $1.65 million guaranteed, and Davenport did everything he could to stay healthy. He overhauled his strength and conditioning regimen with the Lions' director of sports science Jill Costanza and hired a new chef.
"We were just trying to build my body a little differently, ground up," Davenport said. "More free weights, fluid motions."
They focused on flexibility in his hips and ankles, and strength in his core and posterior chain, especially his glutes. Davenport looked good in camp and felt sturdy entering the season. He said he could move the way he wants to. In the end, his body betrayed him again.
Regarding the Lions' options at defensive end behind Davenport, "I feel good about the depth," said Campbell.
Al-Quadin Muhammad will likely move into the starting lineup across from Hutchinson after playing well in Week 2 with a bigger role. Muhammad had a sack and three QB pressures against the Bears on 25 pass-rushing snaps, compared to just four in Week 1.
The Lions are also awaiting the return of Josh Paschal, who's working his way back from an undisclosed injury and is expected to return at some point in October. The former second-round pick has the size and versatility the Lions value up front.
In the meantime, the Lions say they like what they have in defensive linemen Tyrus Wheat and Tyler Lacy, both of whom they claimed off waivers after cut day last month. Neither one has been active yet this season, but "they’re getting opportunities -- we’re getting everybody opportunities -- to see what they can do," Campbell said.
"They fit right in with us, I think they understand our system. They’re not as polished as everybody else necessarily because our (other) guys have been here, they’ve been in the system for a while. But yet, they’re getting it and every day they get better and better and better," said Campbell. "So, we like our options."