The Detroit Lions will open their 2024 season by welcoming the Los Angeles Rams and former Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford to Ford Field for a rematch of a Wild Card Round game in last year's playoffs.
The Lions of course won that game, 24-23, their first win on their way to the NFC Championship Game. So the Rams will have revenge on their minds, with the Ford Field crowd certain to make it hard for them to do so.
The Lions' Week 1 injury report will probably be their shortest of the season, as is typical for most (if not all) teams, with just three players listed.
Undrafted rookie safety Loren Strickland was ruled out with a thumb injury after not practicing all week.
Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu was listed as doubtful with an ankle injury, so he's all but certainly out Sunday night.
Defensive tackle DJ Reader was listed as questionable as he works his way back from his torn quad tendon late last season. But a report from Sunday morning suggests his Lions' debut will wait until Week 2.
Here are the Week 1 inactives for the Lions.
Detroit Lions inactives for Week 1 vs. Rams
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu
- S Loren Strickland
- DT DJ Reader
- EDGE James Houston
- LB Trevor Nowaske
- OL Colby Sorsdal
- OT Giovanni Manu
James Houston is a notable healthy scratch, as backup offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal also is to some degree. Giovanni Manu will be a healthy scratch all season if things go according to plan.
Rams' right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) was listed as questionable on Friday, but on Sunday morning Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported he "should be out" on Sunday night after being limited him in practice all week. Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported Havenstein made the trip to Detroit, so there seems to a small chance he plays.
The Rams already down left tackle Alaric Jackson, who is serving the first of a two-game suspension this week. They are also moving pieces around their interior offensive line, with former Lions' left guard Jonah Jackson set to play center.
Here are the Week 1 inactives for the Rams.
Los Angeles Rams inactives for Week 1 at Lions
- OT Rob Havenstein
- RB Cody Schrader
- OLB Brennan Jackson
- ILB Elias Neal
- DE Desjuan Johnson