The Detroit Lions suffered a tough 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, compounded by injuries to three defensive players.
Two starters, defensive lineman Alim McNeill and cornerback Carlton Davis, exited the game early, along with cornerback Khalil Dorsey.
Dorsey sustained a severe ankle injury after a collision with a teammate, requiring an air cast and being carted off the field. His season is over. Davis left with a jaw injury, while McNeill suffered a right knee injury. McNeill’s injury was deemed serious enough for him to be ruled out immediately.
After the game, head coach Dan Campbell shared updates on the trio. He confirmed that Dorsey’s injury would sideline him for the season and compared it to a prior injury sustained by Aidan Hutchinson.
Unfortunately, Campbell also expressed concern that both McNeill and Davis might also miss the remainder of the season, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The exact details of their injuries remain unknown.
“Yeah, normally if I’m saying, ‘I don’t feel good,’ that means not good for the rest of the year,” Campbell said, via Pride of Detroit. “So, I don’t feel good about it.”
With McNeill sidelined, D.J. Reader is now the only healthy starting defensive lineman left, as Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are also out. For the secondary, Davis’ absence likely means Emmanuel Moseley and rookie Terrion Arnold will start, with Kindle Vildor in rotation.
Despite their numerous defensive injuries, the Lions have performed admirably this season. However, their depleted roster may finally be catching up to them, as seen in Week 15.
