The Detroit Lions have sustained many injuries in their defense that have caused drama within the NFL and Detroit area. Leading up to week 14 of the NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions have lost 13 defensive players and during the game versus the Green Bay Packers, the Lions lost Alim McNeill in the game due to a concussion. Towards the end of the game, star safety Brian Branch left due to cramping but should be back next week versus the Buffalo Bills.
A couple of major injuries the Lions have faced were losing Aidan Hutchinson who was leading the team in sacks. However, there is a chance that he could return for the Super Bowl if the Detroit Lions can make it. Another major injury is losing their top linebacker Alex Anzalone with a fractured forearm.
All of these injuries to the defense, have made the Lions’ manager make big moves in trading players and draft picks to rebuild their injured defense. Throughout the season the Lions have been able to acquire Za’Darius Smith to replace Hutchinson. They made trades for Jamal Adams and Kwon Alexander to replace injured players in those positions.
The Lions’ have lost four linebackers, Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriquez, Derrick Barnes, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Malcolm Rodriquez will miss the rest of the season due to an ACL tear, causing him to only play five games for the Lions this year.
With the Lions losing all of these players due to injuries the defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has been able to make the defense great. The Lions’ defense is missing so many key players, but they have shown why they are the best team in the league and have been able to win games.
