Before we delve into the Detroit Lions vs New York Jets Week 3 initial injury report, let me propose a theory that’s been emerging in my mind lately, stimulated by this video clip of Dan Campbell talking about Jahmyr Gibbs…
In the video, we see Campbell talking about feeding Gibbs over and over. While there’s nothing wrong with that in itself, the fixation and overreliance on veteran and star players may be hurting the development of team depth.
While Dan Campbell overall has been fantastic (love the 4th-down aggressiveness), nobody is without flaws. His flaw may be that he overemphasizes winning each individual game, at the expense of a broader 17-game view of the season.
In two games so far, Gibbs (RB) has played 74% and 83% of snaps and the #2 RB Sione Vaki has only had three carries.
Ennis Rakestraw (CB) has been a healthy inactive the first two games.
Keith Abney (CB) was a healthy inactive for Week 2.
Rock Ya-Sin (CB) got 99% and 95% of snaps in the first two weeks.
Alim McNeill (DT) has played 149 snaps so far, which is 33(!) more than the second-highest defensive tackle in the entire NFL.
Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE) has had excessively high snap count percentages (91%) the past two seasons.
Sam LaPorta (TE) got 98% of snaps in Week 2 coming off a microdiscectomy.
These are just some of the data points that support my theory. The argument could be made that the roster depth is poor. This is not necessarily a Brad Holmes issue, as he is hamstrung by a top-heavy roster and the salary cap. It’s the coaches’ job to develop the depth.
For example, Rock Ya-Sin (30yo) may be better than Ennis Rakestraw (24yo) or Keith Abney (21yo) right now, but later in this season and for future seasons, the young players might end up being better - IF they get some playing time.
You could end up with a stronger team heading into the playoffs by playing the youth and depth, with the added benefit of decreasing injury exposure for the starters. We’ve seen the results of being a #1 seed with a team full of injuries. I’d rather be a healthier, well-rounded wild card team. (I recognize the counterpoint that you still need to actually make the playoffs.)
I touched on this theory along with many other topics, including my Buffalo trip and the throwing of Lions foam beer cans, in my visit with Jeff Risdon at the Detroit Lions Podcast…
Dan Campbell Press Conference Updates
Campbell offered no injury updates in today’s press conference, but addressed the concerningly high snap counts for star players like Alim McNeill and Aidan Hutchinson:
Ideally, we don’t want them out there that much. Just to keep them as fresh as they can.
Campbell has talked about reducing snap counts many times over the past year, but it just doesn’t seem to happen when the game starts. I wonder if once the game-day adrenaline gets going, the pregame plans get tossed out the window.
Lions Transactions Today
… and Yesterday
Lions vs Jets Initial Injury Report
🔴 No practice (NP)
🟡 Limited practice (LP)
🟢 Full practice (FP)
*Current starter
DETROIT LIONS (open -6.5)
🔴 Thomas Harper, S - Ankle
Projection: Out
Harper had an ankle injury in practice prior to the second preseason game which caused him to miss the final two preseason games. It’s unknown whether the current ankle injury is related, but certainly possible. If so, that’s not good news. He played 45% of snaps in Week 2. I checked the film and he was in until the end of the game with no apparent issue.
This report today by Richard Silva is reassuring that it’s not a long-term issue…
However, wearing a boot six days after the last game raises eyebrows. Did he hurt the ankle in the game, or sometime afterwards? Regardless, the presence of a boot just four days before a game is not a good sign for his availability.
After the loss of Avonte Maddox, the Lions will be very thin at safety if Harper can’t go. Chuck Clark and Christian Izien would be the presumed starters (Izien may have started over Harper anyway), while the depth is a big question mark.
🔴 *Alim McNeill, DT - Personal
Projection: In
After a ridiculous number of snaps in the first two weeks, McNeill might be getting a deserved break. Hopefully, that’s all this is.
🔴 Ben Bartch, OG - Foot
Projection: Out
Bartch had a slower-than-expected recovery from his December 2025 Lisfranc foot surgery. There were still foot issues that limited him during the offseason and training camp.
I gave him a 9/10 medical concern level upon signing this past offseason due to the tricky nature of a Lisfranc. Now, after just Week 2, he is not practicing due to a foot. If this is a setback with the Lisfranc, it jeopardizes his season. On the optimistic side, he played 100% of snaps in the last game.
Here was Ben Bartch’s medical report at signing…
🟡 Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE - Illness
Projection: In
While there are no details, early-week illnesses are rarely a problem for NFL players. It’s unknown if he had the illness prior to the LP (good) or got sick during practice (bad).
🟡 *Christian Mahogany, LG - Hip & left knee
Projection: In
After missing last game, it’s an excellent sign that Mahogany has an LP on the initial report. That gives him a very good chance to play on Sunday. The hip issue may be just a mild muscle strain. Mahogany’s knee injury is an afterthought now, but could have been much, much worse.
🟡 *Blake Miller, RT - Knee
Projection: In
Miller has just a mild knee issue (MCL?) and missed the last game, but was close to being able to play. He should work his way up to an FP later this week and be in.
🟡 *Tate Ratledge, RG - Elbow
Projection: In
Ratledge played 100% last game with no signs of issue. The LP suggests the elbow injury is minor. I have no record of any significant elbow issues for him in the past.
🟢 *Hogan Hatten, LS - Wrist
Projection: In
Hatten was looked at by medical during the Bills game. Turns out it is a wrist. He didn’t appear to have any snapping issues last game, and the FP means he is good-to-go.
NOTABLES UNLISTED
🔴 Avonte Maddox, S - Put on IR this week as expected due to left foot surgery, and has been added to my Lions IR/PUP/NFI tracker. He’s almost certainly out for the season.
I agree with Con who notes that Maddox had not been effective this season, and it was probably worth trying someone else, regardless of his injury. His loss hurts the already thin depth though.
🔴 Cade Mays, C - The Lions’ original starting center is on IR with a wrist fracture. He has a chance to be back very soon. Projected RTP: Week 5-7.
🔴 Isiah Pacheco, RB - On IR with back surgery. Projected RTP: Early December if all goes well.
🔴 Kerby Joseph, S - On PUP with left knee. Projected RTP: Uncertain.
🔴 Brian Branch, S - On PUP with right Achilles. Not opening his 21-day practice window this week pushes his projected RTP to Week 7-9.
..."feeding Gibbs over and over"...nothing like telling the opposition your game plan. It's too predictable and I think since last year defenses have been keying on Gibbs. What once looked like an almost "for sure" win in week three is now looking rather iffy. I do think you make a good point about team depth. It doesn't look all that deep especially on defense.