The Detroit Lions will be without two players when they host the New York Jets on Sunday.
Detroit has officially ruled out offensive lineman Ben Bartch with a foot injury and safety Thomas Harper with an ankle injury. Both players missed practice throughout the week, so the final designation does not come as a major surprise.
Bartch’s absence leaves the Lions with another offensive-line question entering Week 3, while Harper’s injury further thins a safety group already working without Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.
More roster questions for Detroit
Bartch was unable to practice on Wednesday or Thursday, according to the Lions’ previous practice report. Now he will officially miss the Jets game.
The same is true for Harper, who will not be available at safety as Detroit continues to navigate a difficult stretch of injuries in the secondary. The Lions recently added safety Bishop Fitzgerald after poaching him from Pittsburgh’s practice squad, and depth will again be tested Sunday.
Lions-Jets remains a key early test
Detroit enters the game at 1-1 following its loss in Buffalo, while the Jets also arrive at 1-1. The matchup is set for 1 p.m. ET at Ford Field, per the Lions’ official schedule.
The Lions will need to solve the Jets while missing more reinforcements. That has been a recurring theme already this season.
