Detroit Lions lose two starters to injury, game to Buffalo Bills, 24-20

The Detroit Lions saw two of their last three first round draft picks leave the field with injuries, clouding a 24-20 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Detroit Lions lost the game, but they may have suffered more serious losses to their lineup. Starting linebacker Jarrad Davis and starting center Frank Ragnow both left with ugly-looking first half leg injuries, in a 24-20 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Friday. The Lions fell to 0-3 in the exhibition season.

Davis was injured on the Lions’ first defensive series when teammate Devon Kennard fell on the back of his right leg during a running play. A distraught Davis had to be helped to the sideline, putting no weight on his right leg. He was carted to the locker room and did not return.

But the Lions’ injury misery didn’t end there. Midway through the second quarter, Ragnow also suffered a leg injury after Bills lineman Shaq Lawson fell on him. As with Davis, Ragnow could put no weight on his right foot, and immediately went to the locker room. He did not return.

Davis and Ragnow were the Lions’ first round draft selections in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Losing either player for an extended period of time would be a crushing blow for Detroit.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford played four offensive series, making his first and likely only appearance of the preseason for the Lions. He looked sharp, including finding rookie running back Ty Johnson with a perfect back shoulder throw for an 11 yard touchdown in the second quarter. Stafford finished 12 for 19 throwing for 137 yards and one touchdown.

Competing for the backup quarterback job, David Fales finished 3 for 8 for 22 yards and Josh Johnson went 5 for 10 for 71 yards in relief of Stafford. Mark Thompson led the Lions with 34 rushing yards and one touchdown. A late fumble by rookie receiver Travis Fulgham thwarted any chance of a Lions comeback.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen finished just 3 of 6 throwing for 49 yards. Two rushing touchdowns helped stake Buffalo to a 14-13 halftime lead. Lions kicker Matt Prater hit a 61-yard field goal to end the first half.

The Detroit Lions finish the preseason next Thursday, August 29th at 7:30 PM EST on the road against the Cleveland Browns. Follow us on Twitter at @SideLionReport and on our Facebook page.