The Detroit Lions are dealing with a lot right now. From a struggling defense to a kicker that can't kick, add a slew of injuries to the mix, and there is quite a mess going on in Allen Park.
Josh Paschal and Jerry Jacobs expected to practice this week
As we reported earlier today, cornerback Jerry Jacobs is officially off of the Physically unable to perform list and is fully ready to get back to work for the Detroit Lions, bringing some depth to the secondary. Jacobs should add depth to a Lions defense that currently ranks 30th in the NFL against the pass and is last in points allowed. At the same time, second-round rookie defensive lineman Josh Paschal will make his debut in practice this week.
Josh Paschal, a second-round pick out of Kentucky, is expected to help the Lions initially as an interior pass rusher. Paschal's return means the Lions have more options in sub packages in using a struggling rookie first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson as an Edge Rusher.
Not so good news for Onwuzurike, Brown and Quintez Cephus
Head Coach Dan Campbell did not have as positive of news to share about second-year defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike’s recovery. Onwuzurike’s recovery from a back injury he re-injured early in training camp is moving at a snail's pace as back injuries tend to do, and it doesn't look like it's going to get better any time soon.
http://gty.im/1243687882“Yeah, it’s not moving,” Campbell said of Onwuzurike Monday afternoon. “That meter is not moving, so there again, we’re just kind of — see where he goes.”
Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions Press Conference
Evan Brown is listed as day-to-day and Quintez Cephus is day-to-day with an ankle injury. As far as Cephus goes, Dan Campbell is not as optimistic about his return any time soon.
“Yeah, Amani, I think is going to be OK,” Campbell said. “And Evan is. He’s got an ankle. I don’t think it’s long-term. But it’s a day-to-day. We’ll see where it is. It’s a little puffy this morning. But it sounds optimistic. But we’ll see.
“We won’t know. We won’t know. I don’t know where he’s (Cephus) at — He got a foot. He’s probably not as optimistic as some of the other ones we were talking about. But there again, he’s getting an MRI right now.”
Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions Press Conference
Also on the giant list of injuries, the Lions are waiting to see the return of defensive end Romeo Okwara (Achilles), fullback Jason Cabinda (ankle), and rookie receiver Jameson Williams (knee). According to Head Coach Dan Campbell, Cabinda is the closest of those names to returning to practice.