The Detroit Lions will be without their top wide receiver, Golden Tate, for a few weeks due to a shoulder injury. But his absence creates opportunities for others.
Despite being 3-3 entering their bye in Week Seven, the Detroit Lions appeared to be one of the league’s top teams. One reversed call here, one less turnover there or even one more caught pass; and the Motor City could easily be 5-1.
The point being, this Lions’ squad has what it takes to win the NFC North. Especially considering the recent collarbone injury suffered by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The division suddenly appears wide open.
In order to be crowned kings of the NFC North, Detroit not only needs to start winning again, after dropping two straight, but they must stay healthy as well. And the latter took a hit this weekend, as it was revealed the Lions’ top receiver, Golden Tate, suffered a shoulder injury in their Week Six game against the New Orleans Saints.
Believed to have sprained his AC joint, Tate is slated to miss “a few weeks” in order to recover from the injury. Fortunately, the Lions’ well-time bye week will minimize the negative impact of his absence.
Tate’s injury does open up opportunities for others on this Lions’ offense. The biggest benefactor will of course be Marvin Jones Jr. Detroit’s “number two” receiver will now carry the burden of being the top target and all the extra attention that draws from opposing defenses.
Rookie Kenny Golladay is expected to make his return to the lineup following the bye. The Lions’ third round selection out of Northern Illinois has missed the past three games due to a hamstring injury.
The 23-year old was able practice on a limited basis prior to the team’s matchup with the Saints over the weekend. Detroit apparently wanted to give Golladay the extra bye week to insure his hamstring is fully healed. The rookie is an opportunistic playmaker who scored twice in his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals in Week One. Golladay will be ask to do much more with Tate sidelined.
Tate’s absence will also open up more opportunities for receivers like T.J. Jones and Jared Abbrederis. Both of whom have played well with limited snaps.
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Along with running backs Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, you can also expect an uptick in opportunities for tight ends Darren Fells and Eric Ebron. Fells has been a revelation in recent weeks, having scored three touchdowns in the last two games. Ebron is still struggling with inconsistent play and drops. But the Lions will need the former first round pick to step up his game in the absence of their best receiver.