Advertisement

Detroit Lions stay coy on injury status for Penei Sewell, Marcus Davenport vs. Buccaneers

Two of the key Detroit Lions on the injury report are still in the process of recovering and Dan Campbell did not say if they would be available Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Campbell said that right tackle Penei Sewell and defensive end Marcus Davenport are progressing in their recovery from injuries that have kept them out of practice all week, but didn't confirm their status for Sunday. He said both players will give it a go in Friday's practice to see where they are at.

"We are going to see if we can get Sewell out there today a little bit, same with Davenport," Campbell said. "We're not sure yet but we'll see."

Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell walks down the tunnel for warmups before a preseason game against Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.
Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell walks down the tunnel for warmups before a preseason game against Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

JAMO ENCORE?: Detroit Lions' Jameson Williams ‘just put the whole world on notice’ but needs consistency

Sewell has been out at practice with an ankle injury he suffered early in the Week 1 win over the Rams despite staying and not missing an offensive snap. Sewell told the Free Press earlier this week that he's "good" and was sitting out for precautionary reasons. Davenport has been out with a groin injury. He recorded a half-sack and four quarterback hits in his Lions debut as the starting defensive end opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Campbell said the team is doing what they think is the best approach to rehab for players including Sewell, Davenport and wide receiver Jameson Williams, who was limited in Thursday's practice with an ankle issue.

Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

"We'll try to get (Williams) out there moving around a little bit, see how he does," Campbell said. "They are all progressing, they're all getting better. It's just a matter of, how fast can they heal up and is it fast enough for them to play."

If Davenport is unable to suit up, Campbell is confident in the other options on the defensive line because D.J. Reader will be ready to make his Lions debut at nose tackle, freeing up other options to kick out wide.

"The good news is we get Reader back this week," Campbell said. "I feel pretty good about that. So him coming back now really opens up a little more versatility that we have at the D-line. Because between (Kyle) Peko, Mac (Alim McNeill), Levi (Onwuzurike) and (Josh) Paschal, they can all play anywhere from the nose, three-technique to the big end. So, they are all going to share that load a little bit if Davenport couldn't or isn't able to go."

Campbell did not provide an update on injured safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who has been out since training camp while recovering from an ankle injury.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions: 'We'll see' if Penei Sewell, Marcus Davenport can play