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Eric Woodyard, ESPNDec 15, 2024, 06:06 PM ET
- Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted, Ethan’s Talent Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan. You can follow him on Twitter: @E_Woodyard
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions‘ defense lost three key contributors to likely season-ending injuries in Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, including cornerback Khalil Dorsey who had to be carted off the field in a scary scene inside Ford Field.
Starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill was also ruled out with a knee injury after missing the second half of last Thursday’s game vs. Green Bay with a concussion. Cornerback Carlton Davis III was downgraded to out with a jaw injury at the start of the second half as well.
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After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Dorsey will be out for the season, while McNeill and Davis are also likely out for the year. Campbell said he didn’t “feel good about either one of those guys” returning, in reference to McNeill and Davis, but noted the team will know more on Monday.
“Normally if I’m like saying I don’t feel good, that means it’s not good for the rest of the year,” Campbell said. “So, I don’t feel good about it.”
McNeill signed a four-year extension earlier this season and had helped stabilize Detroit’s defensive line after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a fractured tibia and fibula in October.
Dorsey went down and had to be carted off the field near the end of the first half. Members of both the Lions and Bills rushed to his side after he went down. Dorsey appeared to get injured after his leg collided with the leg of teammate Ezekiel Turner near the line of scrimmage. Dorsey was officially ruled out with an ankle injury as the Lions trailed 21-14 with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter.
Davis exited the field after a helmet-to-helmet collision at 13:36 in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. He was listed as questionable to return with a jaw injury before being ruled out.
The Lions currently have 13 defensive players on the injured reserve list outside of this latest trio of injuries.
