Detroit Lions update: 3 defenders feared to have significant injuries

The Detroit Lions defense continues to take hits that may be unsustainable at this point. Against the Buffalo Bills, three more defenders were injured and ruled out for the remainder of the game.

First, starting cornerback Carlton Davis suffered a head and jaw injury. He was evaluated for a concussion. In the second half, Davis was ruled out with a jaw injury. It’s unclear if he is also in concussion protocol.

Davis was replaced in the lineup by Khalil Dorsey. But he, too, suffered an injury in the first half—and it appeared to be a serious one. In coverage, Dorsey collided with teammate Ezekiel Turner and his leg stuck in the ground and twisted. He was immediately put in an air cast and was carted off. He was ruled out with an ankle injury and according to the CBS broadcast, Dorsey was transferred to a local hospital.

Dorsey is confirmed out for the season, as expected. Lions coach Dan Campbell described the injury as similar to Aidan Hutchinson—who broke his tibia and fibula.

The Lions relied upon Kindle Vildor at cornerback for the remainder of the game.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t it for injuries. The last of which may end up being the most costly of all. After getting a third down stop, defensive tackle Alim McNeill struggled to pull himself off the field. After being evaluated on the sidelines, McNeill was carted to the locker room and immediately declared out with a knee injury.

Campbell was asked about both Davis and McNeill, and said that he doesn’t feel good about either.

“We’ll know more tomorrow, (but) I don’t feel good about either one of those guys,” Campbell said.

When asked if that meant the injuries could be season-ending, Campbell replied:

“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 was asked if McNeill’s injury was an ACL, but the Lions coach said he didn’t know and they were still doing tests.

The Lions defensive line has been hit massively with injuries this year. They’ve already lost Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Kyle Peko, and Mekhi Wingo to long-term injuries. McNeill has been a star for the Lions defense, and earned himself a midseason mega-extension worth $97 million over four years.

Campbell provided updates on the three players after the game.