Dan Campbell explains benching of Charles Harris
The Detroit Lions‘ unexpected move to make EDGE Charles Harris a healthy scratch against the Baltimore Ravens has piqued the interest of fans and analysts alike. Dan Campbell‘s reasoning behind this decision is a topic of conversation that sheds light on the Lions’ strategy moving forward.
Why it matters: Evaluating Defensive Choices
Dan Campbell’s explanation for Harris’ absence from the roster revolved around a choice between Harris and Julian Okwara due to limited roster spots. This move was presented as more of an evaluation of gameday strategy rather than a permanent benching.
“Talked to (Charles) earlier in the week and it was—last week we brought nine d-linemen into the game and this week, Paschal’s coming back and we were only going to bring eight,” Campbell said. “So, it was kinda, ‘Alright, do we bring JO (Julian Okwara) or do we bring Charles?’ That’s really where we were at. We wanted to give JO a shot at it.”
Campbell emphasized that Harris remains a dedicated and hardworking player, reiterating that this decision doesn’t mark the end of his role in the team.
“Certainly Charles is a guy who puts the work in, he’s one of our captains, he puts the work in,” Campbell said. “He was busting his ass in practice once again, and he knows this isn’t it. This isn’t it for him. He could very well be up next week.”
TL;DR (too long didn’t read)
- Surprising Bench Decision: The Detroit Lions’ choice to bench Charles Harris, a defensive captain, for their game against the Baltimore Ravens raised eyebrows.
- Gameday Strategy: Coach Dan Campbell explained the decision as a matter of evaluating gameday roster choices. The Lions had to choose between Harris and Julian Okwara due to limited roster spots.
- Continued Evaluation: Campbell emphasized that Charles Harris remains a dedicated and hardworking player, suggesting that his benching isn’t a final verdict. The upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders will be closely watched to see if Harris returns to the lineup or continues to sit out.
Bottom Line – A Tactical Shift
The Lions’ next game will come next Monday on Monday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders. It will be interesting to see if Campbell and his staff decide to put Harris back in the lineup or if he will sit out another game.
