Playoffs? Is the Detroit Lions season over? Sorting out the chances

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 17: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watches from the sideline in the second half during the preseason game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 17: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watches from the sideline in the second half during the preseason game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /

Detroit Lions looking inward

The Lions’ issues are obvious, starting with the defense, which ranks thirty-first in the NFL.

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The list of major injuries just hasn’t shrunk and includes vital players like defensive tackle Damon Harrison, defensive end Da’Shawn Hand, safety Tracy Walker, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, defensive end Romeo Okwara, cornerback Darius Slay, and defensive tackle Mike Daniels.

Offensively, guards Joe Dahl and Graham Glasgow have both been limited. Matthew Stafford was limited this week but wide receiver Danny Amendola logged two full practices.

Stafford is not listed on the injury report, despite his limited practices. Starting running back Kerryon Johnson is on the injured-reserve list designated for a possible return in several weeks.

The defensive line was already too thin to sustain major injuries and four major players have missed time.

The pass rush has been among the bottom five in sack percentage, according to the Team Rankings website, link here. This week’s opponent, the Bears, have two people on their injury report, compared to fourteen for the Detroit Lions.