ALLEN PARK – The Detroit Lions announced they placed defensive linemen Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes on the injured list. Receiver Tim Patrick was signed to fill one of the roster spots while the 53rd spot is still open ahead of the long week.
Davenport is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious elbow injury in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike are expected to replace Davenport as edge rushers, while James Houston could now be active on game days.
Hopes are higher for Barnes, the versatile linebacker who was carted off the field against Arizona with a knee injury. He will miss at least four games due to his move to the injured list, but will be eligible to play again in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Until then, the Lions are expected to use players such as Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Ben Niemann, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and perhaps even Trevor Nowaske to fill the do-it-all role that Barnes filled in the early weeks of the season.
“Like you said, Derrick can do so many things,” Jack Campbell said. “He’s just a very special player. The coaches don’t know how bad the injury is, but I mean, right now we need other players to step in at the fullback position alone. And I think we have a lot of room there and obviously some flexibility just because (Alex Anzalone) can play multiple positions, JRM can play multiple positions and Niemann can step in. Within that core of players, you’re going to see someone step in and just do a fantastic job.”
Patrick is now added to the roster, giving the Lions a fifth receiver and additional size at the position. In two games while promoted from the practice squad, Patrick has three catches for 20 yards. That’s not a lot, but it’s the only performance by a receiver not named Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jameson Williams.
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