After sleeping on it and letting my emotions calm down, I came to the conclusion that the Detroit Lions defense is still fucking terrible. I considered ripping out my own eyes while watching it live in Buffalo, and in retrospect I probably should have.
A 4-game sample is enough for this defense. Some might argue this has been going on for 4+ years…
I don’t know if it’s a talent problem, a scheme problem, or both. Injuries can’t be blamed this year, as the team has been very healthy so far - with only one true injury carryover from last year in Brian Branch. Yes, Kerby Joseph was an injury loss from last year also, but the team knew that he could not be counted on to return.
Whether Branch can be enough to save the defense is uncertain, but the Lions need him back now…
“I need backup assistance now! Now, God damn it, now!”
-Die Hard
We’ll find out shortly if Branch can indeed be the savior, as it looks like he’ll open his 21-day practice window this week. Dan Campbell stated in his press conference today: “We have not got confirmation from the doctor yet. That’s the only thing we’re waiting for on Branch. It looks really good he’s going to practice this week.”
Assuming Branch opens his window this week, his projected return-to-play will be on Week 7 (October 25) vs the Packers.
Cade Mays is also someone to watch this week, since he is now eligible to open his practice window from IR. If he opens this week, he potentially could play as soon as this Sunday. Visit my Lions IR/PUP/NFI Tracker for eligible return dates throughout the season.
Here’s the Lions Week 4 postgame injury report, which reveals another very healthy game. Maybe we’ll see this health pay off as the season progresses.
🔴High concern
🟡Moderate concern
🟢Low concern
🟡 Rock Ya-Sin, CB (3Q) - Hamstring strain
Ya-Sin only got special teams snaps on Sunday night. I saw him out there covering a kickoff in the 3rd quarter before he was ruled out with the hamstring. I did not see the injury on video. The severity is unknown, but his loss isn’t much of a factor right now, as he’s completely fallen off the depth chart after being a Week 1 starter.
Dan Campbell today stated: “I don’t think Rock looks good right now.” If this is anything more than a mild hamstring, we could see Ya-Sin go on IR this week.
🟢 Tyleik Williams, DT (3Q 14:31) - Left ankle?
Tyleik was seen in a boot after the game, suggesting an ankle or foot injury. I reviewed all his plays and found this suspicious play in the 3rd quarter, where it looks like he hurt his left leg…
The video is obscured so it’s hard to draw definitive conclusions. He might have been rolled up on, which can cause a high-ankle sprain.
He kept playing the rest of the game until the final defensive snap and looked fine. I did not see any brace or wrap on him at the end of the game.
Dan Campbell today stated: “Tyleik is touch and go. He’ll be day-to-day.” That’s a reassuring report. I don’t expect anything long-term, but if this is indeed a mild high-ankle sprain, he could miss the next game.
Lions vs Panthers Snap Count Analysis
Defense:
🟢DJ Reed was questionable entering the game and played 100% of snaps. This year, 2 of 3 Lions questionables have played (both were Reed).
🟢Ennis Rakestraw saw a bump in snaps from 35% to 41%. He appeared to play well.
🟡Derrick Barnes’ snaps noticeably dropped to 60%. Malcolm Rodriguez (37%) played a lot in the second half over Barnes. I believe this is performance related as there have been no signs of injury to Barnes.
🟡Jimmy Rolder logged a tackle-for-loss (TFL) on the second snap of the game, but only played 7 defensive snaps (9%) for the entire game. It might be worth ramping up his snaps to start developing him, since he’s in the first year of his 4-year rookie deal.
🔴Derrick Moore only played 11% of snaps. His snaps keep dropping (14% last week), and he has not appeared to be productive on the field. It’s very early, but still a somewhat disappointing start.
Offense:
🟢Amon-Ra St. Brown played 96% of snaps after he was banged up with something undisclosed last game. He looked healthy and productive all game, finishing with 8 receptions for 75 yards.
🟢Sam LaPorta played 79% of snaps, which was a noticeable reduction from the past two weeks (>90%). I like this lower range for him given his spine history. He had a very productive game with 8 receptions for 84 yards.
🟢Tate Ratledge was wearing his left elbow brace for the second straight game. He played the entire game again and looks to be performing fine.
🔴Jahmyr Gibbs saw his snaps revert back to high levels (87%). His efficiency was poor, with 15 carries for 46 yards. Sione Vaki got only 17% of snaps with zero carries. More balance may have helped, especially since Jared Goff threw 52 times, and Vaki seems to be the better pass protector.