The Detroit Lions won't have the services of edge rusher and key contributor Marcus Davenport as the Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field today.
The team will get a big addition back into the fold upfront on defense with defensive tackle DJ Reader making his Detroit debut.
Davenport, who had a sack and four quarterback hits last week in the win over the Rams, has been dealing with a groin injury that prevented him from practicing all week. He was listed as doubtful to play on Friday's practice report. The Lions have a number of options to replace Davenport in the lineup along the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson, including Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal and James Houston, who is active this week after being inactive Week 1 vs. the Rams.
Reader, who was a big free-agent acquisition for the Lions this offseason, has been rehabbing a quad injury that kept him out of training camp and Week 1, but he's active today and ready to make his Lions debut.
"It's a hell of a process," Reader said this week of his extensive rehab this offseason. "I'm feeling good and just excited to get out there and play the game that I love with the guys. This is my first opportunity to just get in the stadium and be around the boys and just get after it."
Reader was ranked in the top 10 against the run by Pro Football Focus last season playing in Cincinnati, and he's produced at least 32 quarterback pressures in each of the last three seasons.
Detroit listed right tackle Penei Sewell (ankle), safety Kerby Joseph (hamstring) and wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) as questionable to play on Friday's injury report, but all three are active and expected to start today.
View photos from Detroit Lions practice on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Defensive team huddle during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on September 13, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
The team already ruled out safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) and wide receiver Isaiah Williams (abdomen) on Friday. To stem the loss of Williams, Detroit elevated wide receivers Tom Kennedy and Tim Patrick from the practice squad for this contest. Patrick, 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, gives the Lions some much needed size and playmaking ability at the position.
Joining Davenport, Melifonwu and Williams on Detroit's inactive list today are: Linebacker Trevor Nowaske, tackle Giovanni Manu, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal.
