DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions got off to another brutal start, posting only 10 yards in the first quarter, falling into an early 10-hole. But they’ve managed to fight back despite losing one of their most impactful players.
And then, Amon-Ra St. Brown got rolled up on from behind by Lions offensive linemen Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter. The All-Pro wide receiver went straight to the locker room after limping off with an ankle injury.
They trail the Green Bay Packers, 17-14, at halftime in the annual Thanksgiving classic at Ford Field.
St. Brown has yet to return after exiting with the injury. The Lions last listed him as questionable to return.
Green Bay’s offense started hot, picking up a couple of third-down conversions before throwing three straight incompletions in scoring position. Quarterback Jordan Love missed a wide-open touchdown on first down, then the drive fell apart.
The Packers settled for the field goal, with Brandon McManus hitting the 45-yarder with 9:17 left in the first quarter. Detroit didn’t have much of a response, with Jared Goff getting stepped on by center Trystan Colon, going three-and-out.
The Lions didn’t get much going on offense on their next drive, with St. Brown going down, and Goff getting sacked by Micah Parsons on third-and-15.
Detroit’s defense held the Packers to a fourth-and-3 attempt at the 22-yard line to open the second quarter. Love stayed on the field and took a shot for Dontayvion Wicks in the end zone. Wicks made the contested catch, and after a closer look from officials, the touchdown was confirmed with 14:25 to go in the second frame.
After going only one first down and 10 yards on their first two possessions, the Lions finally got it going to answer the 10-0 hole. They went 70 yards on 10 plays, capping it with a David Montgomery touchdown run on third-and-goal from the wildcat formation with 7:54 left in the first half.
Tom Kennedy, freshly signed from the practice squad, came up with a huge catch on third-and-13 from Green Bay’s 32-yard line to keep the scoring chance alive. Kennedy, the veteran receiver, caught the pass over the middle for 23 yards, with the Lions scoring four plays later to trim into the lead.
Detroit has been rolling with Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Kennedy and a collection of their depth tight ends after St. Brown’s injury. Zach Horton played some fullback. Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser and Dan Skipper got more playing time as the team leaned heavy.
Kelvin Sheppard’s defense failed to get off the field on a pair of third downs on Green Bay’s next drive. Lions coach Dan Campbell threw the red challenge flag too late on the first of those, with Green Bay wisely rushing after the questionable catch with 7:01 left in the second quarter by Christian Watson.
The Packers had another big third-down play, needing 7 yards at Detroit’s 8-yard line with 3:01 in the first half. But the Lions had 12 defenders on the field, and moved that play 5 yards closer. Love scrambled after getting pressured by Aidan Hutchinson to make it fourth-and-1.
Green Bay’s offense stayed on the field, again, after jumping offsides with Matt LaFleur granted the late timeout. Love hit Romeo Doubs in the end zone, and the Lions were right back to being down 10 points.
Goff and the offense took over with 2:12 left in the first half, with a chance to score while getting the ball to open the second half. Williams got the offense into scoring position via a 25-yard catch down to Green Bay’s 29-yard line with 52 seconds left.
Then, Williams hit with a big gain, breaking a tackle and getting the yards after the catch the Lions have been pleading for. Williams took the swing, bounced off a defender and high-stepped into the end zone with 25 seconds left on the clock.
Jake Bates hit the extra point, and the Lions are all of a sudden back in this game, trailing 17-14.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has 32 yards on eight carries, with just 5 yards on one catch. Kennedy has 29 yards on three receptions, and Williams leads the way with 69 yards and one touchdown on three receptions.
The Lions will open the second half on offense and might have to fight back without their All-Pro wide receiver in this crucial divisional and NFC showdown.