ALLEN PARK -- Playing in a Monday Night Football game at Ford Field as a member of the Detroit Lions is a moment that defensive back Avonte Maddox dreamed of as a native Detroiter.
Unfortunately for him and a depleted Lions secondary, it’s a possibility that is an experience he’ll have to take in from the sidelines.
Maddox is currently recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him in Week 6 versus the Kansas City Chiefs. While he shared with MLive that he feels good and is “getting there,” the veteran defensive back has yet to practice this week, leaving his status for Monday uncertain.
Knowing his team needs him, but his body is telling him that now is not the time to suit up, Maddox shared the difficulty of dealing with the injury while his competitive juices are flowing.
“I mean, that’s always the challenge. You want to be like -- it’s almost as if you want to play and you probably can go -- but if you can’t give at least over 85 to 90%, then it’s kind of like you’re hurting the team in a way,” Maddox told MLive. “So you always want to put that in the back of your mind when you’re making decisions on playing or not playing.
“That’s one of the biggest things. And for me, like I said, if I’m not able to give the guys at least a good 85 to 90%, then I won’t put the team in harm’s way because you won’t do anything but set us back.”
Maddox shared that he learned compartmentalization while navigating such situations during his college days playing at Pittsburgh and his eight years with the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won Super Bowl LIX last season.
“Overall, I look at it (like) -- it’s a team sport. It’s never just a solo game,” Maddox said. “So if someone can’t depend on you to do your job and make sure you can do that to the best of your ability, then it’s almost like a trickle effect. Now everybody’s trying to make up for your mistakes, and you don’t want to do that while you’re playing.”
Indeed, the Lions would love for the seasoned Maddox to be in the lineup, as his versatility will be needed as the Lions prepare for a Buccaneers team that has the NFC’s best record at 5-1.
The Lions will be without their top two cornerbacks in D.J. Reed and Brian Branch. They’ll also be without safety Brian Branch, who is currently serving a one-game suspension for his actions following the Lions’ Week 6 loss to the Chiefs.
Safety Daniel Thomas is not available as he underwent forearm surgery and won’t be eligible to return until as early as Week 9 versus Minnesota.
And on top of that, safety Kerby Joseph is still battling through knee issues, causing his status, like Maddox’s, to be in limbo for Monday as well.
“Being a fan of the Lions, of course, I always wanted to play Monday Night Football -- any Monday Night Football, to be honest,” Maddox said. “You’re the main thing on TV that night. So anytime you get an opportunity to play Monday Night Football, it’s always a blessing. But like I said, it all depends on how my body feels. I’m going to make sure I’m not hurting the team in any way, and if I feel like I’m ready to go, then I can go.”
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