Seahawks-Lions: The injury-related shambles of Detroit's offense
Seaside Joe 1302: It didn't matter against the 49ers, will it matter against the Lions?
Seahawks fans have known for a couple of days now that the Lions offense—shockingly second in points scored through three weeks—would not be at full-strength during their Week 4 matchup at Ford Field on Sunday. The Lions got bad news about running back D’Andre Swift (averaging 8.6 YPC) during and after their Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after the third-year running back suffered a shoulder injury.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell noted on Wednesday that Swift is unlikely to play this weekend against Seattle. “The skies would have to open up.”
Then came more bad injury news for the Lions, as top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (fourth in the NFL in receptions) is in danger of missing the game because of an ankle injury. When you add in the absence of top-10 pick Jameson Williams (my favorite receiver in the 2022 draft, but still recovering from a torn ACL), then you see a picture of Detroit’s offense that looks much different than it probably will later in the season.
An offense that has Swift, St. Brown, and Williams vs. one that does not.
The Seahawks defense, arguably the worst in the NFL, could at least avoid having to face two of the fastest players in the league (Swift, Williams) and one of the top young weapons in St. Brown. It’s not fulfilling a wish for injury, but it could be a blessing in plain sight for a defense ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed and 32nd in yards allowed per drive.
Or you might be of the mind that no matter who the Lions start offensively this weekend, it won’t matter. After all, this is the same Seattle team that finds ways to lose to Colt McCoy and Nick Foles and a 49ers team in Week 2 that lost its starting quarterback, running back, tight end, and also cobbled together the middle of its offensive line on the cheap.
You could be right. But the hits keep on coming for the Lions offense.
On Wednesday, it has been reported by every Lions beat writer and fan that the team will practice without Swift, St. Brown, and of course Williams—but also starting center Frank Ragnow, starting tight end T.J. Hockenson, starting left guard Jonah Jackson, and their two other leading receivers in D.J. Chark and Josh Reynolds.
If the Lions had to field a team on Wednesday, they might be surrounding Jared Goff at quarterback with running back Jamaal Williams, tight end Brock Wright, receivers Quintez Cephus and Khalif Raymond, and a necessary practice squad call-up like Tom Kennedy or Maurice Alexander. Or both as practice squad call-ups. Behind Williams would be running back Craig Reynolds. Behind Wright, tight end Shane Zylstra. Behind Jackson and Ragnow are Drew Forbes and Evan Brown.
Jackson, a Pro Bowl alternate at guard in 2021, has missed the last two games. Ragnow, a second-team All-Pro in 2020, missed Week 2’s contest. Hockenson, a Pro Bowler in 2020, has yet to miss a game.
Reynolds led all Lions with 96 receiving yards in Week 3. Chark, often injured, has caught seven of 18 targets for 98 yards in three games.
Exactly what Detroit’s offense will look like on Sunday is completely unclear. Based on my experiences with mid-week injury lists like this in the past, it is probable that at least three of those seven players will be able to suit up on Sunday—and it is never smart to count your victories and “advantages” before the game.
What is clear is that there is a version of the Lions offense with Swift, St. Brown, Williams, Ragnow, Jackson, and Hockenson that is very good.
And there is a version of the Lions offense that couldn’t possibly be as dangerous without them.
The Seahawks may be getting a reprieve in some regards, especially since it is unlikely that they will have to keep up with Swift and definitely if they avoid St. Brown (those were two players I have expected to be able to torture Pete Carroll and Clint Hurtt this weekend), but they have to answer the questions on their own roster before they can start counting players missing from the other team’s roster.
That doesn’t make it any less notable.
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What's surprised me a lot about Goff this season is that he's been very competent and has done a good job getting his team into the right play. Remember when he was with the Rams and McVay wouldn't allow him to audible or even set protections?
What's changed?
It's also possible that the Lion's center and guards playing on one leg or with one arm are still better than ours at full strength.