The Lions get much-needed help at linebacker in Kwon Alexander and may look to add defensive linemen

Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions linebacker needs help.

They also urgently need it on defense.

Detroit bolstered its undermanned linebacking corps on Friday, agreeing to sign veteran Kwon Alexander from Denver’s practice squad, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.

The 30-year-old inside linebacker started two games and played in another as a reserve for the Broncos this season.

Malcolm Rodriguez suffered what coach Dan Campbell feared was a serious knee injury in Thursday’s win over Chicago, and the position group has taken a number of hits this season.

Rodriguez filled in for inside linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is injured with a broken arm and is expected to miss at least another month. Experienced linebackers Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin are also out due to injuries.

The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) host Green Bay (9-3) on Thursday night and could provide some much-needed help on defense before their game against the Packers.

Defensive lineman Josh Paschal (knee), Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and Mekhi Wingo (knee) were injured against the Bears. The position group is in disarray with Aidan Hutchinson lost to a broken leg and Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky and Kyle Peko out due to injury.

“Whoever we have available, we’ll get them ready to play,” Campbell said. “We expect them to hold the line, period. You have to do your job, and everyone around you is looking for you to do your job.”

What works

Let the ball run. Even though Detroit’s NFL-record 25-game streak of rushing for a touchdown ended against Chicago, their dynamic duo in the backfield shows no signs of slowing down.

Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who adopted the old-school video game characters “Sonic and Knuckles” as their nicknames, combined for 175 yards on 30 carries against the Bears.

Gibbs is the first player in franchise history to have more than 70 yards of offense in each of the first 12 games.

Montgomery joined Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (1990) and Billy Sims (1981, 1980) as three Lions to record over 700 yards rushing, over 275 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in the first 12 games.

What needs help

Red zone offense. The Lions were 2 of 5 in the red zone against Chicago, and settling for field goals against better teams could lead to a loss.

Stock up

DJ Reader. Lions general manager Brad Holmes made a point of signing the veteran defensive tackle, and it was easy to see why he did. The 1.90 meter tall, 150 kilogram reader can do more than just occupy offensive linemen and stuff the run. He has three sacks, a career high in a single season. Reader set a career-high with two sacks, a record he hadn’t had since 2018, three quarterback hits and four tackles against Chicago.

Inventory reduced

Jameson Williams. His talent, which he demonstrated by crossing over a defensive back who was almost standing upright, was never in question. Questions about his maturity will continue after his most recent mistake, when he threw the football into the face of a Bears player on the sideline without a helmet.

Williams made an unsolicited apology to the team after the game.

“This is great,” Campbell said. “This is growth. So all is well.”

Injuries

In addition to the aforementioned ailments, offensive tackle Taylor Decker and cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Emmanuel Moseley were inactive due to injuries as the Lions snapped a seven-game losing streak on Thanksgiving.

Key number

12 – The Lions have their best record after 12 games with a franchise-record 10 win streak. They surpassed a team mark and tied the 1934 team, which started 10-0 and finished 10-3.

Next Steps

Assemble practice squads for defensive linemen to at least add depth to a position decimated by a series of injuries before hosting the Packers in a potentially pivotal game in the NFC North race.

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Follow Larry Lage at https://apnews.com/author/larry-lage

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