We didn't need to see the statistics to know that the Detroit Lions are the most injured team in the NFL right now, but one analyst was nice enough to crunch the numbers and they may leave you dumbfounded.
Following their Week 15 game versus the Buffalo Bills, it was revealed that Detroit had lost three more starters to injuries in running back David Montgomery, defensive lineman Alim McNeill and cornerback Carlton Davis.
Davis and McNeill have since been added to injured reserve, while the Lions are holding out hope that a third opinion will reveal better news for Montgomery. Otherwise, he'll be on injured reserve as well.
Before placing Montgomery on the list, the Lions have a whopping 21 players on it, which is easily the most in the NFL. The next closest team is the Cleveland Browns, who have 18.
Here's a look at the full list of numbers, per analyst Tyler Webb.
Number of players on IR/PUP/OUT for each #NFL team. pic.twitter.com/QSJjur1Oak
— Tyler Webb (@tylermwebb) December 18, 2024
Webb includes players who are considered out, so we would assume No. 22 on the list for the Lions is Montgomery. Nevertheless, Detroit is clearly running away with the title of the most injured team in the league.
Assuming there are no setbacks in the near future, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu will come off injured reserve soon, as he was designated to return on Wednesday.
That will drop Detroit's number to 20, although it could go right back up to 21 with Montgomery. Here's a look at the full list of Lions players currently on injured reserve.
Lions on injured reserve
- LB Alex Anzalone
- DL David Bada
- K Michael Badgley
- LB Derrick Barnes
- DL John Cominsky
- DE Marcus Davenport
- CB Carlton Davis
- CB Khalil Dorsey
- OL Connor Galvin
- WR Antoine Green
- DE Aidan Hutchinson
- DE Nate Lynn
- DL Alim McNeill
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (designated to return)
- OG Netane Muti
- DL Kyle Peko
- CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
- WR Kalif Raymond
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez
- DL Mekhi Wingo
We want to say there's nowhere to go but up from here when it comes to Lions injuries, but we've seen too many this year to say something that foolish.
The fact Detroit has been able to overcome that gargantuan list and still be 12-2 is deserving of an award in and of itself. But no award is coming, and neither is any sympathy from opponents, something head coach Dan Campbell knows full well.
"We acknowledge the fact that we've lost players, we've lost really good players, but nobody cares," Campbell said. "I mean, nobody cares and nobody's gonna give us a pass or give us an asterisk next to your record. So what it means is some guys are gonna have an unbelievable opportunity. Because of what has happened, that means now, man, you're a guy who's on the vet squad or you're a young player or you're somebody who's been dying to get an opportunity, you're about to get it."
The bruised and battered Lions will return to action in Week 16 when they take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
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