Huge Blow: Lions Landed Another Injury Update

Marcus Davenport’s injury presents Josh Paschal with a chance to reach his potential
Significant injuries present opportunities for others, and Josh Paschal’s injury from Marcus Davenport is giving him the chance to reach his full potential.

With defensive end Marcus Davenport (elbow/torn triceps) almost definitely out for the season, injuries often present an opening for others. This presents the Detroit Lions with a chance for someone to step up and take Aidan Hutchinson’s place as the team’s other edge rusher.

To replace the vacuum left by Davenport’s departure, the Lions may try to bring in a free agent. But in case the internal solutions don’t work out, that seems like a fallback option. If the internal possibilities don’t materialise in the upcoming weeks, there is still time to sign someone or make a transfer before the trade deadline of November 5.

Since Davenport’s absence, head coach Dan Campbell has often shown reluctance to discuss any one player as a possible contributor, most recently in relation to replacing the vacuum. However, he has already made repeated, conspicuous mention of one player in this regard.

 

Marcus Davenport’s absence presents Josh Paschal with an obvious opportunity.

In particular, Campbell was questioned on Monday on Josh Paschal’s potential to step up given that Davenport is probably out for the season.

“This is going to be enormous for Paschal; I have a lot of faith in it,” Campbell remarked. “By the way, he played a fantastic game. He’s going to take a burden over there now. He was another; I thought he played a great game yesterday; he was strong and still getting better. He will therefore need to step up, and I have every confidence that he will.

Speaking about how Davenport’s absence will be covered, Campbell once more gave Paschal priority during his appearance on 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday.

“I’d tell you this: Paschal is going to carry a lot more weight; he and ‘Hutch’ are your ends,” Campbell remarked.

Paschal was selected 46th overall by the Lions in the 2022 draft. Recovering from surgery to treat a sports hernia sustained late in his senior year of college threw his rookie season off balance from the beginning. Later on, a knee ailment restricted his involvement and cost him two games. Due to a knee injury, he was out for five games in September and October of last season.

Paschal has played 53 snaps with one total tackle in three games this season. Not making an impression on the stat sheet does not imply that he hasn’t performed well; in fact, after seeing the game film, Campbell praised his effort in Week 3.

Naturally, Paschal’s continued health will be crucial as he assumes a larger role. However, the raw talent he has occasionally displayed—which propelled him to the top 50 overall—needs to materialise into an effect on the field. Because of the sad circumstances surrounding Davenport’s injury, an opportunity is presented to him, and he needs to take advantage of it without delay.