The Detroit Lions will be without key pass rusher Marcus Davenport when they take on the Baltimore Ravens under the lights of Monday Night Football in Week 3.
Davenport’s absence was expected, as he hasn’t taken part in practice all week and was seen Friday with his right arm in a sling.
Head coach Dan Campbell provided a small silver lining, explaining that while Davenport is sidelined with a chest injury, the team does not believe it will cost him the entire season. “I don’t anticipate Davenport playing,” Campbell said. “We’re still sorting through some things, but based on what we know, it’s not season-ending.”
Campbell could not offer a timetable for when Davenport might return, though he hopes to have more clarity over the weekend. He also expressed confidence in the team’s depth at the position going into Week 3.
This latest setback continues a difficult stretch for Davenport. Last season, he suffered a torn triceps in Week 2, limiting him to only a handful of games. Between his time in Minnesota and Detroit the past two years, he’s managed just six appearances. Complicating matters further, the former first-round pick endured five offseason surgeries in 2022, making the last few years especially challenging.
With Davenport sidelined, expect to see more of Al-Quadin Muhammad, who played nearly 30 more snaps from Week 1 to Week 2 and recorded his first sack of the season. Linebacker Derrick Barnes has also been used creatively, logging 47 snaps on the defensive line in two games—40 of those as a pass rusher.
The Lions may also tap into their depth from training camp acquisitions. Defensive linemen Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat, both claimed off waivers, have yet to play but could make their debuts against Baltimore. When asked about their progress, Campbell said, “We like those guys. They’re improving every day. They’re still catching up compared to the guys who have been in this system longer, but we see them fitting right in.”
Meanwhile, the status of Josh Paschal remains unclear. The defensive lineman started the year on the non-football injury list, which automatically sidelines him for at least the first four games. Campbell did not provide an update on when Paschal might be ready to return.
