Report: Detroit Lions DE Marcus Davenport suffered 'significant' elbow injury
Update: Dan Campbell said Monday that Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport looks to have a season-ending injury.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dan Campbell said two key defensive players who left the Detroit Lions' 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday likely avoided season-ending injuries, but the team may not have been as fortunate with a third.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that defensive end Marcus Davenport suffered a "serious and significant" elbow injury and could be done for the rest of the season. Davenport left in the second half and later returned for a few plays with a sleeve on his left arm.
Davenport was injured in the third quarter and went to the Lions' sideline shaking his arm but returned for a few plays with a sleeve on his left arm.
More: Lions grades vs. Cardinals: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs ace their test
He missed two series, but returned in the fourth quarter. The Lions did not provide an injury update on Davenport during the game, saying he was available for action.
If he is indeed done for the season, his tenure with the Lions could be over. Davenport signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal with Detroit in free agency.
Davenport has played well this season starting opposite Aidan Hutchinson at end on the Lions' defensive line, but he missed a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a groin injury and was available in free agency in part because of his extensive injury history as a player.
I believe that happened on the play right before the fourth down stop. Definitely was shaking his arm, came off the field and missed a few series but Lions said no injury update, he still was available to play. Did come back for a few plays at least https://t.co/ssoSqOpEjW
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 23, 2024
He only appeared in four games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 after going on injured reserve with an ankle injury and has never completed a full NFL season.
In two games with the Lions, he had two tackles and four quarterback hits.
The loss of Davenport only adds to the injuries the Lions defense suffered against the Cardinals. Derrick Barnes, who would have been one option to replace Davenport in his outside linebacker role, was carted off in the first half with a knee injury. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill (shoulder) and safety Brian Branch (neck) also left the game and did not return.
"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 Sunday of injuries to Barnes and McNeill. "But we'll know a lot more (Monday) on those things, when we're able to get home and check it out."
Campbell is scheduled to address the media later Monday.
The defensive line has been a strength for the Lions early in the season, led by Hutchinson with an NFL-best 6½ sacks. D.J. Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo and Josh Paschal were the other main players up front with Hutchinson after Davenport left with McNeill already out.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Report: Detroit Lions lose Marcus Davenport to 'serious' elbow injury