A short week for Week 2 clearly did the Detroit Lions no favors, with two starting offensive lineman unable to suit up after Week 1 injuries. Of course the defense was also almost inexplicably awful against the Buffalo Bills, which is bringing several defensive backs to Allen Park for a workout on Monday.
It's easy to believe there are no possible internal answers to the Lions' woes, with a focus on the defensive side of the ball. If certain players, say on the practice squad, were thought to be helpful, they would have gotten an opportunity to be on the active roster already, right?
That said, it's becoming easy to question if the front office is willing to fully extend itself to find solutions. General manager Brad Holmes seems content to do as little as possible when it comes to adding outside talent, and it's worth wondering if a good player is hiding right under their nose.
With extra time between that bad loss to the Bills and what should be a winnable game in Week 3 against the New York Jets, here are three practice squad callups the Lions need to consider.
3 practice squad callups the Lions should consider heading into Week 3
3. CB Nick Whiteside
Whiteside seem poised to seize a significant role in the Lions' secondary during training camp and the preseason, before he was surprisingly released at final cuts. That move was clearly not a precursor to a bigger move to add a cornerback, and the results through two games has shown it.
Alongside former second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw, who has been a healthy scratch in each of the first two games this season, it's worth wondering where Whiteside went so wrong that he can't get an opportunity to play in such a feeble secondary.
Something has to be done to fix the Lions' secondary, and we know a big move isn't coming. The search for solutions should get Whiteside an elevation to the active roster for Week 3.
2. DL Ben Stille
Stille clearly made an impression on Dan Campbell and the coaching staff after coming aboard in August, to the point it felt like he could sneak onto the 53-man roster. That of course didn't happen, but it's worth wondering if another team will end up poaching him off the practice squad.
Levi Onwuzurike was elevated from the practice squad for the game against the Bills, and he promptly did absolutely nothing over 22 defensive snaps. No tackles, no quarterback pressures, nothing. It was as if he didn't even play, which he has often happened during his career due to injuries.
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Even with two more practice squad elevations left before he'd have to signed to the 53-man roster, It's time to give up on the idea Onwuzurike can be a useful player. Stille deserves an opportunity.
1. EDGE Anthony Lucas
New year, same old story. Through two games, Aidan Hutchinson has three sacks,16 quarterback pressures and six quarterback hits. No one else has more than six pressures and two hits on an opposing signal caller, and no other edge rusher has a sack.
Lucas is a very raw young player, and his college production wasn't overwhelming. But his physical tools were intriguing enough for him to be kept on the practice squad, and ideally he could stay there all season as a developmental stash.
It has been just two games, but the Lions, once again, have gotten next to nothing from edge rushers other than Hutchinson. Even if it's only for 10 appropriately situational snaps in Week 3, it feels like time to give Lucas a shot.
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