The Detroit Lions' final inactive report ahead of their Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals revealed that linebacker Devin White, who has been inactive for the team since Week 3, will be active and available for the team. That's quite the change to their linebacker unit for a must-win contest, especially after the veteran provided some less than stellar snaps for them to begin the year.
In just 51 snaps this year, he allowed a 93.8 passer rating, recording just four tackles. He was basically just a threat against the run, but even there, he struggled to impose his will for the Lions. He was a part of a larger problem with the Lions' linebacker unit, though.
Him being available for the Lions shows that the team is either throwing whatever they can at the wall to see what sticks for this linebacker group, or seeing if he can increase any trade value for the Lions ahead of their bye week.
Lions exclude White from inactive list ahead of Week 5
White could stand to get more looks at linebacker with the unit really struggling this season, especially against the run. Jack Campbell is going to be especially busy against Trey McBride in this contest, so having some additional depth here for tackling is always a good thing.
The Cardinals did not rule rookie running back Jeremiyah Love out of this game, so he'll be a threat to the Lions' run defense in this contest alongside Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight. Love, who has been dealing with some ankle injuries to begin the year, has posted just 223 rushing yards and one touchdown on 55 carries.
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Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Derrick Barnes - the Lions' typical starting linebacker unit - have allowed an obscenely bad passing efficiency against quarterbacks this season. Their inability to mask holes in the Lions' secondary have put the onus on the defensive line to stop trouble before it starts. If the trouble begins, they've struggled to stop the bleeding.
It's unlikely that White fixes that issue, but perhaps some fresher legs there can assist in trying to slow down a potentially potent Arizona offense. They haven't launched just yet this season, but this has the makings of a perfect breakout game for their offense against the last-rated passing defense in the NFL. The linebacker unit has played a big role in that disappointment.
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