Lions Get Unexpected Good News Before Chiefs Game
The Detroit Lions have suffered a rash of injuries leading to Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but also caught a break with a late addition to the injury report for an opposing player.
The Chiefs added a starting offensive lineman to the injury report, putting his status in question for the matchup on Sunday Night Football. The Lions are looking to stay in front in the NFC North, facing a Chiefs team that is looking to get back on track after a shaky start to the season.
Chiefs at Risk of Losing Starting Tackle
As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, the Chiefs had a late addition to the injury report at a key position.
“The Chiefs have now listed starting left tackle Josh Simmons as questionable for the Week 6 game for personal reasons, which have not been disclosed,” Risdon wrote. “Simmons has played well as the Chiefs starter, taking over the role as a rookie. The Ohio State product was the final pick of the first round in April’s draft.”
As Risdon noted, the Chiefs would turn to Wanya Morris, who started 11 games last season, if Simmons is unable to play. The Chiefs have already struggled on offense, especially the rushing game, where quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been the most consistent rusher so far this season.
Lions Facing Their Own Injuries
The Lions have been hit hard by injuries so far this season, ruling out four players and listing six as questionable for Sunday’s game. Those not playing include running back Sione Vaki, linebacker Zach Cunningham, cornerback Terrion Arnold, and defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who remains on the PUP list.
The Lions already placed two defensive backs on injured reserve, losing D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey for an extended stretch.
Benjamin Raven of MLive.com noted that the Lions appear to be getting healthier at the safety position, with both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch expected to play.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the team has dialed back on its nickel looks during all the changes in the secondary.
“You’re always going to probably lean back on that more than the other just to calm their world down a little bit,” Campbell said. “And because at the end of the day, the most important thing is that we’re all on the same page. And at least you can reduce that kind of stress by simplifying it a little bit.
“Now, the flipside of that is you can become a sitting duck if you’re not careful, but you have to weigh that. You have to weigh what means more to you versus that opponent. So, we’ll be ready.”
#DETvsKC inactives presented by Henry Ford Health
The Lions have also taken some hits to their offensive line, ruling out Taylor Decker with a shoulder injury and placing reserve Giovanni Manu on injured reserve. The Lions are expected to start Dan Skipper at left tackle and have also elevated offensive lineman Devin Cochran from the practice squad, providing some versatility and depth.
“You have to get better in silence” — Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Faces Heat for His Confidence
Shedeur Sanders’ recent comments about his role have put the wrong kind of spotlight on the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders is currently the No. 3 quarterback in Cleveland, sitting behind 40-year-old starter Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart. He caused a stir with recent comments about his role to ESPN Cleveland.
“I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that,” Sanders said. “I don’t think playing or not playing is in my hands. Based on the situation, if things happen, if things pan out where I play, then I’ll be out there and I’ll be ready to play. I’m ready to play right now.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Needs to Know ‘Time & Place’
Former NFLers Harry Douglas and Bart Scott both called out Sanders for the comments, which took over the headlines after the Browns’ first win. Cleveland upset the Green Bay Packers 13-10 in Week 3.
“There’s a time and place for everything. And that’s not the right timing for Shedeur Sanders. It’s OK to feel like that internally, to feel like he’s better than guys starting right now. You don’t need to say it out loud,”
“That’s not your line,” Scott added. “You have to get better in silence. And you have to realize that sometimes reporters are just sitting around and they’ll put a camera in your face, you think they’re your friend and feel good because you’re not the starting quarterback and getting attention. Then you just say stuff, not realizing it blows up to stuff like this. … Don’t poke the bear.”
Browns Respond to Comments From Shedeur Sanders
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski remained diplomatic when discussing Sanders’ comments.
“He’s doing a good job,” Stefanski said. “I hope all of our guys feel like they’re ready, and they’re working very hard at it. We do a lot of work with our players, rookies, vets, all our guys, spending every available minute that we have with them, getting them ready physically, mentally, whether it’s in the weight room, the meeting room, out on the field. So, all of our guys are working very hard.”
There’s not an expectation that Sanders will see the field this season unless things go very sideways in Cleveland. The Browns are committed to rolling with Flacco for now and have liked what they’ve seen from Gabriel.
“For all the football conspiracy theorists out there trying to decode the real reason the Cleveland Browns drafted Shedeur Sanders, here’s the truth: There is no big secret. The pick wasn’t some master plan from ownership,”
“Don’t plan on seeing the fifth-round pick on the field this season unless things get really weird. Cleveland believes in Joe Flacco’s experience and Dillon Gabriel’s development as the backup.”
In the meantime, Sanders will continue to serve as the emergency quarterback on game days. He suits up but is officially inactive, only able to enter if both Flacco and Gabriel are injured.
