During the Detroit Lions second padded practice of training camp on Tuesday, veteran Defensive End John Cominsky tore the MCL in his right knee and had to be carted off the field. The injury will require surgery, and he is expected to miss the duration of the regular season. If the Lions choose to add Cominsky to the injured reserve list now, his 2024 season is done. However, there’s a possibility of a return for the playoffs if the Lions keep him on the roster and add him to the injured reserve list the day before roster cuts.
During the Lions historic run through the playoffs and to the NFC title game last season, Cominsky was an integral part of their defense. He started all three postseason games for Detroit, and even 11 games in their NFC North clinching 12-5 regular season. He had two regular season sacks and two quarterback hurries in the NFL Playoffs.
Reliable Depth
The saving grace of the Lions is their insane defensive depth. The guy responsible is third-year year General Manager Brad Holmes. He has been deemed the savior of the Lions organization since his arrival in 2021. He’s made nothing but great choices for the historically awful organizations. His specialty is the NFL Draft and Free Agency.
Having already drafted talents like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Aidan Hutchinson in previous years, this year’s offseason added to his impressive track record. The recent offseason signing of veteran Marcus Davenport from the Minnesota Vikings is one reason Lions fans can sleep easy at night going into the regular season. Davenport’s six-year career has so far resulted in 148 tackles, 23.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. Beyond Davenport, the Lions will also be looking to third-year Defensive End Josh Pascal, and rookie Nate Lynn.
Other Notable Injuries
Also injured in Tuesday’s practice was Offensive Lineman Netane Muti who suffered a shoulder injury shortly after Cominsky was carted off the field. Like Cominsky, Muti’s injury is considered to be “long-term” and will also require surgery. Other big losses include recently acquired veteran Tackle DJ Reader and Kicker Michael Badgley.
Badgley was placed on Detroit’s injured reserve list this past Saturday after suffering a torn hamstring during practice. This opens up the door for former Michigan Panthers UFL kicker Jake Bates to make his mark for the Lions this season. Bates was signed this offseason to a two-year contract.
As for Reader, he was placed on the active/PUP (physically unable to perform) list 10 days ago after suffering a torn quadriceps. The Lions are unsure if he will return to training camp while he recovers, but hope to have him back early in the regular season. Reader was acquired this offseason from the Cincinnati Bengals. Last season, Reader tallied up 20 solo tackles and a sack as a Bengal.
True Grit
With season expectations at an all-time high, the Detroit Lions are heavy favorites to win the NFC North again and make it back to the NFC title game. Could these unexpected injuries set them back a year in their pursuit of finally hoisting the Lombardi? The word GRIT gets tossed around in the Lions facility all the time. This season will reveal just how much grit and tenacity they have in their scramble to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
The Detroit Lions kick off the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field in Detroit on Sept. 8. They will look to build upon a great 2023 regular season in 2024. Detroit enters the year with Super Bowl aspirations.
