The Detroit Lions took a hit to their secondary during the Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills after cornerback Carlton Davis suffered a fractured jaw that will sideline him for six weeks.
Six weeks from Sunday’s game is the NFC Championship Game, so Davis could make it back for the playoffs if the Lions make it that far. Of course, Detroit has to get there first.
Thankfully, it appears that reinforcements could be coming soon in the form of a few players returning from injured reserve. Those players are cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Both defenders are eligible to come off injured reserve this week, but according to head coach Dan Campbell, it might be another week for Rakestraw Jr. Meanwhile, Melifonwu has a chance to come back this week.
Lions injury updates
“Yeah, I see (Melifonwu’s) clock starting, and so then it’s well, OK, that’s good, we get him out at practice. Do we think he can help us out as early as Sunday? I don’t know that right now. And I won’t until we get him out there running around a bit,” Campbell said.
“I don’t see (Rakestraw Jr.) being ready,” Campbell said of the rookie. “He’s close, but not yet.”
🔜 https://t.co/1y7mfLWoRH
— Ennis Rakestraw Jr (@EnnisRakestraw) December 16, 2024
When Melifonwu returns, the Lions could go a few ways to help fill the void left by Davis’ injury.
Melifonwu was under consideration for the slot corner job during the offseason, so the Lions could deploy him there and move Amik Robertson to the boundary. One other avenue Detroit could take is to move Brian Branch back to the slot and put Melifonwu in his normal position.
Either way, Melifonwu’s return will give the Lions some options down the stretch. Expecting Rakestraw Jr. to step into a starting role upon his return might be asking too much, but at the very least he offers Detroit some depth.
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