Detroit Lions defenders are going down like flies.
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Defensive lineman Alim McNeill left Sunday’s Week 15 clash against the Buffalo Bills with an apparent knee injury.
Lions ruled out DL Alim McNeill due to a knee injury….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2024
He suffered the non-contact blow after he took an awkward step while lunging towards Bills quarterback Josh Allen to defend against a pass attempt.
McNeill can’t seem to catch a break as the 317 lbs defender missed last week’s 24-17 victory against the Green Bay Packers due to being in concussion protocol.
He is the fourth defensive lineman on Detroit’s roster to gain an injury status, joining fellow teammates Levi Onwuzurike, Joshua Paschal and D.J. Reader.
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This comes in addition to losing corner backs Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey, who were also both ruled out, to a jaw and ankle injury, respectively.
It’s something to marvel that head coach Dan Campbell has been able to steer his team to an NFL-best 12-1 record despite being enveloped by injury statuses.
The most notable blow to the defense was the loss of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson on Oct. 13, when the Pro Bowler endured a serious leg injury that will keep him out until the NFC Championship game at the earliest.
On Thanksgiving, Campbell lost both linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo to season-ending injuries.
It’s showing on paper, too.
Through the 14 weeks leading into Week 15 against the Bills, the Lions had allowed the ninth-most total yards in the NFL, relenting 4,142.
Quarterback Jared Goff and the offense have compensated for these troubles by having posted the most points in football and ranking within the top three in yards per play.
Goff continues to be one of the most 180-degree career shifts throughout the NFL in recent memory. The veteran signal caller is on his way to his third straight year collecting over 250 yards per game and is completing a career-high 72.1% of his passes.
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