The injury bug has started to hit the Detroit Lions hard, and the wait for two key players may be another week longer.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Dan Campbell provided injury updates on center Cade Mays (ankle), cornerback D.J. Reed (hip), and EDGE D.J. Wonnum (concussion).
For Reed and Mays, the outlook doesn't look good. Neither are likely to practice on Wednesday, with Campbell adding that the two have "a way outside shot of playing." As if that wasn't a certainty enough, Campbell reaffirmed by saying, "Way, way, way outside shot."
Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany is set to be the second consecutive game both Mays and Reed have missed after being injured in the win against the Minnesota Vikings. Campbell clarified that Reed and Mays being out is more to do with whether or not they can play rather than all the traveling for an international game.
Juice Scruggs will continue to start in place of Mays, continuing to build upon his strong season. Cornerbacks Khalil Dorsey, Rock Ya-Sin, and Nick Whiteside will see their share of snaps in place of Reed much like this past Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Ya-Sin saw the most snaps among them last Sunday (38), so expect that to remain consistent against the Patriots.
Lions fans will be able to sleep at night knowing Scruggs will be at center, but Reed missing another week raises further questions about the lack of a move for an outside corner at the trade deadline. Reed's injury may not be long term, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has continued to improve, but the deadline was a great opportunity to strengthen the CB room.
The player the Lions did trade for, safety Andre Cisco, is probable to play on Sunday, and he'll likely be joined by a returning Lion on defense.
Wonnum is poised to return on Sunday
The news was much better for Wonnum, who Campbell said "cleared his first obstacle, second obstacle" in his concussion protocol and will return to practice. Campbell says so long as that practice goes well, Wonnum "should be good to go" for Sunday.
Like Reed and Mays, Wonnum was injured in the Vikings game after a friendly fire helmet collision from safety Brian Branch. Branch was also looked at for a concussion, but was able to play against the Dolphins.
READ MORE: Lions lie down at the deadline while the Pats stand pat heading into Germany matchup
Wonnum has been a wonderful addition to the Lions' pass rush, and even the special teams unit. He has five sacks on the season, three shy of a career high. His clutch field goal block against the Green Bay Packers proved to be a difference-maker in the Lions win that week, and led to him being named the first of currently three consecutive NFC Special Teams Player of the Week winners.
The pass rush handled the Dolphins well in Wonnum's stead, sacking quarterback Malik Willis three times. Two of those sacks were the first two in the career for rookie Derrick Moore, who made the most of his extended playing time.
With the dynamic Drake Maye under center for the Patriots on Sunday, it's good to know Wonnum will be back to enhance the pass rush. Maye has been sacked 20 times this season so far, but has 21 total touchdowns to his name. Hopefully, Wonnum's return will be enough to mitigate the loss of Reed for another week, and help calm the frustrations over a quiet trade deadline.
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