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Detroit Lions' Derrick Barnes, Alim McNeill expected to avoid season-ending injuries

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Detroit Lions' 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals may have come at a price.

The Lions lost three defensive starters to significant injuries Sunday, though head coach Dan Campbell said none of the injuries appear to be season-ending.

Linebacker Derrick Barnes suffered a knee injury in the first half and was carted to the locker room with a towel over his head. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill left with a shoulder injury. And safety Brian Branch suffered a neck injury on a helmet-to-helmet collision and was being evaluated for a brain injury after the game.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) leaves the game with an injury after this tackle against Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) in the second half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sep 22, 2024.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) leaves the game with an injury after this tackle against Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) in the second half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sep 22, 2024.

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"I can't say they're not going to be long-term, but I don't feel like it's something like we're worried about season-ending," Campbell said. "But we'll know a lot more (Monday) on those things, when we're able to get home and check it out."

Several other Lions left Sunday's game with more minor injuries, but returned to the field.

Tight end Sam LaPorta played through an ankle injury, but declined to talk to a reporter after the game. Left guard Graham Glasgow injured his arm in the first quarter, then returned with a sleeve on his elbow. And Marcus Davenport, Terrion Arnold, Dan Skipper and Levi Onwuzurike also missed snaps because of injuries.

"I was hurting pretty good," Glasgow said. "I don’t want to get into specifics but I did not feel well. But we pushed through it and we have a game (next) Monday night so we’ll be able to work through it throughout this week."

The Lions have an extra day of rest this week with a Monday night game next week against the Seattle Seahawks, then follow with a bye.

Both Glasgow and Campbell said the early-season bye could end up being a blessing for the Lions.

"It looks like, yeah, it could be a perfect time," Campbell said. "And then I love the fact that we're going into a Monday game, then the bye. We get an extra day of recovery here before we have to play again, so there could be some of those that's going to help our guys out that got a little banged up today between Branch and we'll see on Mac, we'll see on Barnes. We had some other guys that got some nicks and bruises and so hopefully that'll help us heal up."

Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline." Preorder it now from Reedy Press.

Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Early bye week could benefit Detroit Lions after injury-riddled win