Season-Ending Injuries to McNeill, Davis, and Dorsey Deliver Major Blow to Lions’ Playoff Hopes in Painful Loss to Bills
The Detroit Lions endured a tough 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, made worse by significant injuries to three key defensive players.
Two starters, defensive lineman Alim McNeill and cornerback Carlton Davis, were forced to exit the game early, alongside cornerback Khalil Dorsey.
Dorsey suffered a severe ankle injury following a collision with a teammate, requiring an air cast and being carted off the field. His season is officially over. Davis left the game with a jaw injury, while McNeill sustained a right knee injury, which was serious enough to rule him out immediately.
Head coach Dan Campbell provided postgame updates, confirming the severity of the injuries. He announced that Dorsey would miss the remainder of the season and drew comparisons to Aidan Hutchinson’s previous injury.
Campbell also expressed doubts about McNeill and Davis returning this year, echoing concern reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While specifics remain unknown, the outlook is grim.
“Yeah, normally if I’m saying, ‘I don’t feel good,’ that means not good for the rest of the year,” Campbell admitted via Pride of Detroit. “So, I don’t feel good about it.”
With McNeill sidelined, D.J. Reader becomes the only remaining healthy starting defensive lineman, as both Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are already out. In the secondary, Davis’ absence will likely elevate Emmanuel Moseley and rookie Terrion Arnold to starting roles, with Kindle Vildor rotating in.
Despite battling numerous injuries throughout the season, the Lions have managed to perform admirably. However, their heavily depleted roster appears to be catching up to them, as evidenced by their struggles in Week 15.
