4th Detroit Lions episode of Hard Knocks: The humbling reality of watching players you know got cut
The fourth episode of Hard Knocks featuring the Detroit Lions came with a bit of a sick twist: It focused on players battling to make the roster, while the harsh reality is that just hours earlier, we all found out most of them came up short.
6 Hard Knocks takeaways: Fighting โSame Old Lionsโ culture, better defense, โwinning is everythingโ
The third episode of โHard Knocksโ featuring the Detroit Lions had a much happier ending than the second, but there are still plenty of reminders that Dan Campbell faces a steep uphill battle to change the organizationโs culture.
Itโs a Hard Knocks life for Detroit, as second episode goes behind scenes of Lionsโ preseason loss
Although this year seems like the Lions may be in a different stratosphere as an organization, after blowing week one of the NFL preseason to the Atlanta Falcons, they seem like theyโre the same old Lions.
Lions and makeshift coaching staff struggle against Bucs
Detroit Lions interim head coach Robert Prince on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first possession, they faced third-and-9 from their 19. Chase Daniel completed 13 of 18 passes, but for only 86 yards and never got the Lions past midfield. After a touchback on the kickoff to start the half, Lions running back D'Andre Swift fumbled on first down. That wasn't much fun.โThe Lions allowed 588 yards, the second-highest total in team history and the highest in a regulation game.
Brady-led Bucs top Lions 47-7 to end 13-year playoff drought
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. The Bucs (10-5) set a franchise record with 588 yards and snapped the NFLโs second-longest postseason drought behind Clevelandโs 18-year run that can end Sunday. RECORD WATCHBrady has thrown a franchise-record 36 touchdowns and set a personal record with 348 yards passing by halftime. Tampa Bay set team records in points (34) and yards (410) in the first half. Lions: Stafford left the game with an ankle injury after he was 2 of 3 for 17 yards on his only possession.
Lions will hold out hope all week that Stafford can play
The Detroit Lions will hold out hope as long as they can that Matthew Stafford can play at Tennessee with banged-up ribs. Stafford stayed in the game to hand off to Kerryon Johnson for a touchdown on the next play, but was evaluated by the team's medical staff on the sideline. Stafford went toward the locker room, returned to throw passes near the benches before going back out of sight. โThat guy loves to play football and itโs going to take a lot to keep him out," Bevell said. STOCK UPThe Lions have missed on a lot of draft picks, but T.J. Hockenson is not one of them.
QB Jones inactive for Giants; McCoy to start at Seattle
(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)The New York Giants will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for Sundayโs game against the Seattle Seahawks. Jones was not expected to play because of a hamstring injury suffered last week against Cincinnati. Colt McCoy will make his first start of the season at QB for the Giants. Seattle was without both starting right tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) and backup Cedric Ogbuehi (calf) leaving a major question on the offensive line. ___CLEVELAND-TENNESSEEBrowns: WR Taywan Taylor, WR KhaDarel Hodge, CB Denzel Ward, RB Dontrell Hilliard, S Tedric Thompson, DE Joe Jackson.
Eagles get Jeffery, Sanders back for game against Giants
The NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles have gotten healthier on offense in time for another division game. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is back in Philadelphiaโs lineup against the New York Giants, his first action since foot surgery last year. Running back Miles Sanders, the Eagles' leading rusher, is also back after missing three games with a knee injury. Okung will miss his fifth game this season because of injury, so Dennis Daley starts, protecting Teddy Bridgewaterโs blindside. The Buccaneers are playing without left guard Ali Marpet, who will miss his second consecutive game with a concussion.
Stafford on Reserve/COVID-19 list, wife says he's negative
DETROIT โ Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, although his wife Kelly said on social media he tested negative. The Reserve/COVID-19 list was created for players who either test positive or have been in close contact with an infected person. Some NFL teams have closed their training centers after players and or staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Three months ago, the Lions removed Stafford from the COVID-19 list after saying he received a false positive test result. Kelly Stafford had plenty to say on her Instagram page in August after the false positive test, lashing out at the league for publicly putting her husband on the list.
Vikings RB Cook up vs. Packers, who keep LT Bakhtiari out
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)Dalvin Cook is back for the Minnesota Vikings from a one-game absence, his injured groin cleared to play in Green Bay. Packers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Raven Greene, RB Aaron Jones, LB Randy Ramsey, OT David Bakhtiari, DL Billy Winn. ___LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MIAMIRams: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL AโShawn Robinson. Dolphins: RB/WR Lynn Bowden Jr., RB Salvon Ahmed, FB Chandler Cox, CB Jamal Perry, RB Jordan Howard, DE Jason Strowbridge. Bengals: K Austin Seibert, WR John Ross III, RB Joe Mixon, OG Michael Jordan, C Trey Hopkins, OT Bobby Hart, OT Jonah Williams.
Packers without leading rusher Aaron Jones vs. Texans
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)The Green Bay Packers are without their leading rusher for Sunday's game at Houston after Aaron Jones was ruled out with a calf injury. Cam Erving is back at left tackle with Connor Williams at left guard. Washington will be without left tackle Geron Christian because of a knee injury, so journeyman Cornelius Lucas starts in that spot. ___GREEN BAY AT HOUSTONPackers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Darnell Savage, RB Tyler Ervin, RB Aaron Jones, T David Bakhtiari, DL Tyler Lancaster. Texans: WR Keke Coutee, CB John Reid, LB Peter Kalambayi, T Charlie Heck, TE Jordan Akins.
Undefeated Titans getting healthy after COVID-19 outbreak
The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFLโs first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburghโs second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.