The Lions’ depth: The insights highlight and roles shifting as injuries mount

The Detroit Lions’ depth was put to the test during Sunday’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

In the win, several key players exited with injuries, including Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, Alim McNeill, Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta. On Tuesday, the Lions placed Davenport and Barnes on injured reserve, with Davenport out for the season.

Despite these setbacks, the Lions secured their first road win of the season.

Here are five takeaways from the Lions’ snap counts in their game against the Cardinals.

Frank Ragnow’s Grit Shines

For the third consecutive game, all five of Detroit’s starting offensive linemen played every snap. However, it was revealed afterward that center Frank Ragnow had sustained a partially torn pectoral muscle, which might cause him to miss games.

Although it’s unclear when Ragnow was injured, his ability to stay in the game and complete every snap showcased his toughness. If he does miss time, the Lions will need to reshuffle the offensive line.

Detroit’s roster includes 10 offensive linemen, offering multiple replacement options. The team could move Graham Glasgow from left guard to center, with Kayode Awosika stepping in at left guard. Alternatively, Michael Niese could take over at center. Either way, replacing the All-Pro center will require adjustments.

Snap counts from Lions' Week 3 win over Arizona. Tim Patrick continues to see a consistent workload, while Mekhi Wingo sees an uptick in action after the injury to Alim McNeill. @DetroitPodcast pic.twitter.com/oRVaybFPAK
— Christian Booher (@CBooher_) September 23, 2024

Linebacker Depth Proves Crucial

Following Alex Anzalone’s game-day scratch, Detroit’s linebacker unit took another hit when Derrick Barnes went down with a knee injury. This forced the Lions to lean heavily on their depth.

Jack Campbell played every defensive snap, while Malcolm Rodriguez, starting alongside him, played 51 snaps. Jalen Reeves-Maybin also contributed, playing 27 snaps after mostly featuring on special teams, and Nick Niemann added seven snaps.

With Barnes now on injured reserve, these players could see even more playing time. Another potential contributor is Trevor Nowaske, who was active for the first time Sunday but did not see any defensive action.

Tim Patrick Secures WR3 Role

The battle for Detroit’s third wide receiver spot appears to be settled, at least for now. Though Sunday’s game was relatively quiet for the passing attack, Tim Patrick has emerged as the WR3 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, as evidenced by the snap counts.

Patrick’s promotion was further confirmed when Detroit signed him to the active roster after placing Barnes and Davenport on injured reserve. Through two games, he has three receptions for 20 yards.

Practice squad call-up Allen Robinson saw just one snap on offense, filling in for Tom Kennedy, who had been elevated the previous two weeks.

Mekhi Wingo Steps Up

Alim McNeill left the game late in the first half with a shoulder injury and did not return, creating an opportunity for rookie defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo.

Wingo played 28 snaps, recording three tackles. McNeill is considered day-to-day, so his availability for Monday’s game is uncertain. Regardless, Wingo’s performance was encouraging, with fellow defensive lineman DJ Reader offering praise during Tuesday’s media availability.

Josh Paschal Primed to Step In at DE

With Marcus Davenport sidelined, Josh Paschal appears poised to fill the void at defensive end. James Houston was again a healthy inactive, allowing Paschal to step in when Davenport went down.