GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Lions don't play again until next Monday night when they host the Seattle Seahawks (3-0) at Ford Field, and they can certainly use the extra day of rest after suffering a number of injuries in a very physical 20-13 win over the Cardinals Sunday.
The most serious injuries appear to be on defense where linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (shoulder) left the game and did not return.
"I will know more tomorrow at some point," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Barnes and McNeill after the game. "Both of them have injuries. I can't say that they are not going to be long-term. I don't feel like it is something that we are worried about season-ending. We will know a lot more tomorrow on those things when we are able to get home and check it out."
Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold also injured a knee early in the game. He missed a possession but was able to return and battle through it. Tight end Sam LaPorta suffered an ankle injury after being rolled up on from behind on Jahmyr Gibbs' 21-yard touchdown catch. He was able to play off-and-on with it. Safety Brian Branch suffered a neck injury late and was in the concussion protocol after the contest.
The Lions were already down linebacker Alex Anzalone, who was in concussion protocol after last week's loss to Tampa Bay.
Not only do the Lions get an extra day of rest playing on Monday night next week, but an early bye follows that Week 5, which just might come at a perfect time.
"We will know a lot more tomorrow on that, but it looks like it could be a perfect time," Campbell said of the early bye. "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.
"There could be some of those that's going to help our guys out that have got a little banged up today. Between Branch -- we'll see on Mac (McNeill) and we'll see on (Derrick) Barnes. We had some other guys that got some nicks and bruises, so hopefully that will help us heal up."
JOSEPH COMES UP BIG
Building on a really nice start to the season, Lions safety Kerby Joseph played a key role in a terrific defensive effort by the Lions Sunday.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Joseph intercepted a deep ball intended for Marvin Harrison Jr. He stopped Kyler Murray one yard short of the sticks on a designed third-down run on a great open-field tackle that led to a punt. He broke up another deep ball, also on third down, alongside Branch. Joseph capped off his terrific game with a fourth-down pass breakup with tight coverage on McBride late.
"I thought he was very active. I did," Campbell said of Joseph's performance. "I thought he was active back there. I thought he was seeing the field. I thought he was roaming pretty good. That was a heck of a play on the interception, and I just feel like he, I don't know if quiet is the right word, but quietly improving. He is quietly getting better, and I mean that in a good way. He's getting better."
EXTRA POINTS
- Jack Fox punted five times for 247 yards (49.4 avg., 45.4 net), pinning four punts inside of the 20-yard line. It's the second most punts pinned inside the 20-yard line that Fox has had in a single game in his career.
- Detroit has produced at least 135 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in each of the first three games of a season for the first time since 1980.
