Detroit Lions: Following Jarrad Davis injury, rookie linebacker must step up

With starting middle linebacker Jarrad Davis going down in the last preseason game, it’s rookie Jahlani Tavai’s time to step up for the Detroit Lions.

Detroit Lions fans were most likely sent into a state of panic Friday night, as two projected starters in guard Frank Ragnow and linebacker Jarrad Davis were both carted off the field with what looked like serious lower leg injuries.

Luckily for those panicked Lions fans, it came out last night that both players have been diagnosed with ankle sprains, which is a much more manageable injury to deal with than ACL or MCL tears. According to head coach Matt Patricia, via the Detroit News, both Davis and Ragnow should be back sooner rather than later.

While Davis takes a bit of time to recover from his injury, one young linebacker has a chance to step up in his place, as this is exactly what Jahlani Tavai was drafted for in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The rookie out of Hawaii should be able to accommodate the defense as a plug-and-play linebacker who can stuff the run and drop back in pass coverage.

Tavai proved to be a proper replacement in case Davis has to miss any time in the regular season. In Saturday night’s preseason game against the Bills, Tavai was aggressive filling run gaps and disrupting tackles. While he only made one tackle officially, he was around the ball carrier on a lot of plays and routinely made Buffalo’s backs slow their feet.

Playing middle linebacker is a big responsibility in any defense, but especially for the Detroit Lions, as they’ve looked to put more of a focus towards stopping the run this off-season, signing talented pass rushers such as defensive end Trey Flowers and defensive tackle Mike Daniels.

Tavai should be able to help contribute to that improved run defense, as he showed a high football I.Q. in his time at Hawaii, where he totaled 390 tackles, 41.0 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks in 47 games while being a leader in the same role he’s in now with the Lions.

But despite Tavai’s past accomplishments, he has some big shoes to fill in replacing Davis. He led the team in tackles last year, placed third in sacks, improved in pass coverage and was starting to become an emotional leader in the locker room. That’s a lot for a rookie to live up to.

The Lions were hoping they could bring the Hawaii aboard slowly with all the newly-acquired talent in the front seven, but they no longer have that luxury.

With as big of a focus as improving on defense has been this offseason, the development of Tavai may define this Lions’ season. If he learns on the fly and shows proper leadership, this defense can improve. If he struggles, the defense might take a step back and struggle with him.

But if there is any linebacker that can fill the middle linebacker role substantially, it’s Tavai. He has shown incredible work ethic so far this preseason, and with a few more reps and a cool head, he should be able to excel in his new role.