The Detroit Lions secondary is looking particularly thin for Sunday’s game against the Broncos, with two more members landing on the COVID list.
The Detroit Lions dealt with a flu bug during the past week, as evidenced by a long list of players listed with an illness on the final injury report for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. In all, 10 of the 12 players listed as questionable have “illness” next to their name.
Safety Tracy Walker and running back Jamaal Williams joined center Evan Brown and defensive back Bobby Price on the COVID-19/reserve list on Friday. On Saturday, the Lions added two more members of their secondary to the COVID list.
#Lions CB Mark Gilbert and CB Ifeatu Melifonwu have been placed on Reserve/COVID-19 and are out for Sunday’s game at Denver.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 11, 2021
Melifonwu, a third-round pick last April out of Syracuse, returned to action in Week 13 after a stint on IR with a thigh injury. He played 10 snaps against the Vikings, and surely would’ve been in line for more action this week as he gets back into playing condition.
The Lions signed Gilbert off the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad in October. He has appeared in five games this season, albeit with only one defensive snap over the last three games (which came in Week 13, along with two defensive snaps in that game).
Detroit Lions secondary very thin for tough matchup with Broncos receivers
However limited quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is, the Broncos have a nice trio of wide receivers (Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick) and a capable tight end (Noah Fant) around him. Containing that group was going to be a challenge for the Lions’ pass defense at full strength. Now the secondary will be down its best player (Walker), with three others who supply depth also out on the COVID list.
The Lions will be down their top two running backs on Sunday, and tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) is doubtful. They’ll be down to their third center, the linebacking corp could be quite thin and now the secondary is going to be even further thinned. A bunch of practice squad guys are in line to be in uniform and play, by necessity.
So who’s ready to pick an upset?