The Detroit Lions have released their inactive list for today’s Week 13 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Seven players were placed on the list including running back Kerryon Johnson (knee), fullback Nick Bellore (ankle), tight end Michael Roberts (shoulder), wide receiver Brandon Powell (calf), cornerback Teez Tabor, defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr., and linebacker Trevor Bates.
#LAvsDET: Today's inactives pic.twitter.com/KvxinTfUfV
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 2, 2018
With Johnson inactive again this week and wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. on injured reserve Monday with a knee injury, it will be up to quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Kenny Golladay, running back LeGarrette Blount, and others to lead Detroit’s short-handed offense.
Both Golladay and Blount have done a decent job filling in for the injured starters. Golladay has caught 13 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown in the last two games. While Blount had 19 carries resulting in 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.
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There is a bit of good news on offense for the Lions, as wide receiver Bruce Ellington, who was questionable coming into today’s game with a back injury, is active. Ellington has caught six passes in each of the last two games.
The Lions will also have all of their defensive starters, which they’ll need if they want to try and slow down the Rams offense. The Rams are averaging 35.4 points and 448.6 yards per game, which is the third and second most respectively in the NFL. Needless to say, the Lions defense will have their hands full trying to limit Los Angeles’ offense as best they can.
All Eyes on Stafford
The Lions are going to need to score some points if they want any chance of winning today’s game. If the Lions are going to hang with the high-scoring Rams this needs to be a bounce-back game for Stafford who is coming off a performance where he threw two interceptions and no touchdowns on Thanksgiving against the Bears.
Stafford’s 10 interceptions are tied for the eighth most in the NFL and his 90.8 passer rating ranks 23rd. His 17 touchdowns this season is tied for the 16th most among quarterbacks, along with Baker Mayfield and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Both Mayfield and Fitzpatrick have played in just 10 games this season, while Stafford has played in 11.
Stafford needs to play well if the Detroit Lions want to have a chance.
