ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have another juicy primetime game before they head into the bye week.
They will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football back at Ford Field. Tampa Bay is 5-1 and in the top spot of the NFC heading into this one.
Detroit is limping in its secondary, with a couple of pieces missing, limping and even suspended. But there is some good news in the injury department. Standout defensive lineman Alim McNeill is set to make his season debut. On top of that, left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) was back at practice on Thursday in Allen Park.
The bye week’s timing is particularly significant considering the Lions have endured back-to-back prime-time games. The physical toll and pressure of this stretch would normally be concerning. But the light at the end of the tunnel is that week off.
It’s an opportunity for Kerby Joseph’s knee to get a much-needed rest. And it’s good news for the likes of injured defensive backs Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and Avonte Maddox (hamstring) while DJ Reed (hamstring) remains on injured reserve.
MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast opened the mailbag for the latest episode. Hosts Kory Woods and Ben Raven discussed a myriad of topics, with the timing of the bye week getting some attention.
“I also think this is just a really good time for the lines to reset,” Woods explained. “On one hand, they have a lot of bodies coming back on the defensive side of the ball, so that’s going to be a good thing as they prepare for the stretch.
“This will be a good evaluation period to kind of sit down and look at things. Evaluate what they’ve been doing good. What they’ve been doing not so good and how to go ahead and prepare for the back end of the season.”
The Lions also hope to get edge rusher Marcus Davenport and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez back in the fold. Rodriguez could work into practice after the bye, while Davenport needs a little more time.
While Decker’s status remains up in the air based on how he and his shoulder responds in practice. The Dungeon of Doom took time to note how big the return of McNeill is for the defensive line. The Lions host the Buccaneers and then the Minnesota Vikings coming off the bye. Then, they hit the road for back-to-back games against the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.
“Reinforcements are coming. Reinforcements are coming now,” Raven emphasized. “McNeill is a huge re-addition. Yeah, huge. Absolutely huge.”
See below to listen to the latest Dungeon of Doom mailbag podcast episode:
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