The Detroit Lions had three more defensive players go down with significant injuries on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey is obviously out for the season with a leg injury Dan Campbell acknowledged is similar to Aidan Hutchinson's.
In regard to defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) and cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw/concussion?), Campbell was not optimistic right after the game.
“We’ll know more tomorrow, (but) I don’t feel good about either one of those guys,” Campbell said, before confirming the strong possibility McNeill and Davis would be out for the season that should've been inherent in his initial comment when asked if that meant those injuries could be season-ending.
"Yeah, normally if I’m saying, ‘I don’t feel good,’ that means not good for the rest of the year. So, I don’t feel good about it", Campbell added.
So anything short of the worst fears about McNeill and Davis' injuries would have counted as good news when updates inevitably came on Monday. Campbell is not one to offer false optimism on injuries.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport had the same reports on Monday morning. McNeill suffered a torn ACL, and Davis suffered a fractured jaw. Rapoport went beyond Davis needing surgery and being out "indefinitely to say he'll be out six weeks. As Rapoport noted, six weeks from Sunday is Jan. 26, the date of the NFC Championship Game.
Lions injury updates: Worst-case scenarios confirmed for Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis
McNeill was having a terrific season, easily lined up earn the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. He was rewarded in-kind back in October with a four-year, $97 million contract extension. Now, of course, his status for the start of next season is in automatic doubt and he's truly unlikely to be ready for Week 1.
Alim McNeill R knee injury video
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
-Uncertain on which step injury occurred but suspicion for final step landing hard on straight leg
-Postgame pessimism is concerning for ACL
-Best case would be mild bone bruise. Also possible are meniscus or other knee sprain. pic.twitter.com/RYYMkaigPt
Davis' regular season is over, with a return possible for the NFC Championship Game (or the Super Bowl). He is in the final year of his contract, with it easy to assume the Lions want to sign him to a multi-year extension if the price is right. This injury shouldn't change anything about the prospect he stays in Detroit beyond this season.
Carlton Davis jaw injury video
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
-Came out 2x, maybe related
-In 1st qtr, blow to L head. Grabs facemask after. Returned after 1 play.
-In 2nd qtr, presumably hits L head on tackle. Trainers looking at L jaw. Did not return. pic.twitter.com/GDcwYFURVv
The Lions have lost two more of their best defensive players, and a core special teamer when you count Dorsey. This run of injuries is bordering on ridiculous, and it would be unbelievable if it wasn't actually happening.