Marcus Davenport’s fate in limbo as Lions await crucial second opinion on injury status
Lions Await Critical Second Opinion on Marcus Davenport’s Injuries
The Detroit Lions are in a state of uncertainty as they seek clarity on defensive end Marcus Davenport’s injury status. Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the media on Monday, providing updates on several players who were banged up during their recent matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Injury Concerns for Davenport
Davenport, who has faced both an ankle and shoulder injury during the Lions’ home opener, is under scrutiny as the team awaits a second opinion to gauge the severity of his conditions. “We’re still getting things looked at with that,” Campbell remarked, emphasizing the need for further evaluation before determining how long, if at all, Davenport might be sidelined. The uncertainty looms large as the Lions prepare for their next challenge against the Baltimore Ravens.
Following the Bears game, Davenport opted to keep details about his injuries private, although he was seen using an ice pack on his right shoulder. The team’s hope is that the injuries are not severe enough to impede his availability for the upcoming game.
Defensive Line Performance Against the Bears
Despite the injury to Davenport, the Lions’ defensive line displayed marked improvement against the Bears compared to their previous outing against the Green Bay Packers. Notably, Aidan Hutchinson, who struggled to make an impact on the road, successfully recorded a sack against Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
“I was very happy to get one,” Hutchinson shared, reflecting on his performance. “I felt the support from Ford Field. It was really one of those moments that you’re like, ‘I’m back.’ I feel like it’s just good to be with the team.” His words encapsulate the energy and determination that the Lions are bringing to the field as they strive to build momentum.
Defensive Strategy and Team Morale
Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions’ defense was tasked with stepping up, and they responded by forcing multiple turnovers against Chicago. Hutchinson highlighted the depth of talent on the team, stating, “I think we’ve got a lot of talent on all sides of the ball. It’s the expectation, it’s the standard, at this point. We’re going to carry this momentum with us.”
While Campbell confirmed that Hutchinson is feeling sore, he does not anticipate any impact on Hutchinson’s availability for future games. Meanwhile, the Lions are eager to see how Davenport’s situation unfolds, balancing the need for his contributions against the necessity of ensuring his long-term health.
As the Lions gear up for their next contest, the focus will remain on player health, strategic adjustments, and maintaining the positive momentum established against the Bears.
NFL RUMORS: Kirk Cousins Now a Viable Option for Bengals After Joe Burrow’s Toe Injury
The Minnesota Vikings chose signing Carson Wentz over attempting to trade for Kirk Cousins ahead of the regular season, which may prove a mistake following an injury to J.J. McCarthy in Week 2.
McCarthy is likely to miss between two and four weeks after severely spraining his ankle against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 14, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Cousins knows head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense and several of the players in the huddle, though he would have cost the Vikings an asset in a deal.
The team would also have likely had to pay a significant portion of Cousins’ $27.5 million base salary in 2025 at the age of 37 and coming off injuries in back-to-back seasons, all of which likely contributed to Minnesota’s choice to ink the younger and less expensive Wentz instead.
However, Wentz must now take the reins of the offense next weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals, while undrafted rookie Max Brosmer elevates into the QB2 role and the Vikings likely go on the hunt for a veteran signal-caller to add to the mix for at least as long as McCarthy is out.
Cousins is no longer as viable an option for Minnesota after the franchise brought in Wentz, but he could make sense for their Week 3 competitors. Cincinnati lost star quarterback Joe Burrow for up to three months following a toe injury Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars that will require surgery.
The Bengals have one of the NFL’s more reliable backup options in Jake Browning, though he threw three interceptions in Week 2 as Cincinnati narrowly escaped a home loss to the visiting Jaguars.
Bengals so Reliant on QB Position to Carry Team, They May Consider Expensive Trade for Kirk Cousins
The Bengals have invested massively in their offense, paying Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins north of $550 million combined on those three players’ most recent contract extensions.
Because of that, Cincinnati doesn’t have an overly impressive offensive line or defense, which has kept the team’s success teetering on the edge of a knife over the last several years. The Bengals rely so heavily on the offense to carry the team and so heavily on Burrow to carry the offense; however, by not protecting Burrow appropriately, the organization also constantly risks everything falling apart.
That burden now falls to Browning who has appeared in 13 career games, starting seven of them (4-3). He boasts a career completion percentage of nearly 70% and has tallied 2,177 passing yards, 14 TDs and 10 INTs over his three years in Cincinnati. A total of 241 of those yards, as well as two TDs and three INTs, came against Jacksonville in Week 2.
Browning actually began his career with the Vikings in 2019 as an undrafted rookie.
Bengals Can Afford Trade for Kirk Cousins Under Right Circumstances
Cousins is a far more accomplished and experienced player than Browning. The question is whether the Bengals want to spend what it would require to trade for him.
The answer could be yes, simply given how much Cincinnati leans on the QB position and how quickly its season might crumble if Browning struggles or suffers an injury of his own.
Cousins has a no-trade clause but would likely be willing to waive it for a chance to play with Chase and Higgins in a high-powered offense that needs the QB to throw the ball effectively and at high-volume to even stay in games, let alone win them.
The Bengals currently have nearly $13 million in cap space and could probably work out a deal with the Falcons to take on only so much of Cousins’ 2025 salary that it fits under that number.
