Just when it seemed like some much-needed stability and good fortune was coming to the Detroit Lions defensive line, more adversity struck. Starting DE Josh Paschal, who bagged the first of Detroit’s four sacks of Sam Darnold in Week 7, is suffering from an illness that has kept him out of practice all week.
Based on Dan Campbell’s press conference before Friday’s session, don’t expect Paschal to suit up for Sunday’s visit from the Tennessee Titans.
“Paschal’s dealing with something right now.,” Campbell said. “He’ll be OK long term, but he’s got a little bit of something. So, I don’t see him practicing today.”
Paschal jumped into a starting role only after Marcus Davenport and then Aidan Hutchinson went down with serious injuries in wins over Seattle (Week 4) and Dallas (Week 6). Playing as the “next man up”, Paschal represented a real dropoff in pressure creation and attacking versatility from the Week 1 starters.
The new next man up is freshly acquired Isaiah Thomas. The Lions signed him to the active roster last week after losing Hutchinson to a broken leg. Thomas had been on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad after failing to make the Cleveland Browns following the preseason.
“Yes, we will use Isaiah. He’s done enough during the week to want to get him out there and get him some reps. He’s in a good place and we’re excited to see him play.”
The Lions won’t rely just on Thomas, however. Campbell cited pretty much every defensive lineman on the roster, including practice squad member Al-Quadin Muhammad, as guys who will have to pick up the slack for the wounded pass rush.
“Yeah, that’s why those three guys have to step up between Isaiah (Thomas) and Muhammad and (James) Houston. They have to help, they have to help and that’s where it goes but as always, we spread the load across that D-line with Levi (Onwuzurike) and (Alim McNeill) Mac and (DJ) Reader and (Mekhi) Wingo and (Pat) O’Connor, so we have plenty in there and they pick up the slack.”
If you’re looking for an omission there, it would be Isaac Ukwu. The undrafted rookie started the last two games in Davenport’s spot as a practice squad elevation. Despite showing some vitality late in the win over Dallas, Ukwu struggled against Minnesota’s strong offensive line.