(CBS-DETROIT) — The injuries continue to pile up for the Detroit Lions defense.
On Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a torn ACL on Sunday. 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, while cornerback Calton Davis broke his jaw. McNeil’s season is over, while Davis will undergo surgery and be out indefinitely.
McNeil suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s game, which ended the Lions’ franchise record at 11 consecutive games. The defensive tackle ranks second behind injured Aidan Hutchinson in total sacks with 3.5, while Davis ranks fourth on the team in total tackles with 56 and third in interceptions with two.
The Lions also lost defenseman Khalil Dorsey on Sunday to an ankle injury. Dorsey was placed on a board and had to be removed from the field after colliding with teammate Ezekiel Turner while defending a pass in the second quarter. Dorsey is considered one of Detroit’s premier special teams players.
Detroit has had a slew of notable injuries to its defensive starters this season. Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, Marcus Davenport, Malcolm Rodriguez, John Cominsky, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Emmanuel Moseley and Ennis Rakestraw are currently on injured reserve.
Anzalone, who broke his left forearm Detroit’s 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguarsexpected to return after Christmas and in time for a Lions play-off run, while Hutchinson, who broke his leg last month in Detroit’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, could potentially return for the Super Bowl.
Despite Sunday’s loss to the Bills, the Lions still lead the NFC 12-2 and return to the road on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
