Trey Flowers is on track to play on Sunday, and his return to action is well-timed for the Lions.
The Detroit Lions made a significant investment in Trey Flowers in March of 2019, with a five-year, $90 million deal ($56 million guaranteed). He had a solid first season with the team, tying for the team lead with seven sacks along with 21 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss. Heading into 2020, it was easy to want and expect more.
But Flowers broke his right forearm in Week 8 last year, and missed the rest of the season. He finished with two sacks in seven games. This year he has not played since Week 2, due primarily to a right knee issue but with a shoulder injury as well.
With Romeo Okwara out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles’ in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, the Lions are down their best pass rusher.
Romeo Okwara ranks No. 8 on this list, with a pressure rate of 17.2%. Another reminder of how much the Lions will miss him. https://t.co/qPAi2jTi3W
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) October 8, 2021
Trey Flowers’ return is coming at the right time for the Lions
Flowers practiced on both Wednesday and Thursday this week, so it looks like he’ll be available agains the Vikings on Sunday. Via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Flowers cited how hard it’s been to miss time like he has, while pointing to his health improving. He has missed 11 of the Lions’ last 13 games.
“It’s (been) tough,” Flowers said Thursday. “I take pride in just playing the game, take pride in my body being prepared for all the compact hits and things, but that’s this game. Sometimes you have good times and then sometimes you got to see the ugly side of it, but I’ve been trying to stay positive.”
The Lions need the version of Flowers they saw in 2019, if not a better version. The first step is being available every week, as he shakes off a recent run of injuries. The Lions need him back as a force off the edge now more than ever, and hopefully he’ll be able to stay on the field.