PHILADELPHIA – There is never a good time to lose key players on either side of the football, but with the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs' offense, led by MVP Patrick Mahomes up next for Detroit, the Lions are hoping the injuries suffered on defense to cornerback Darius Slay and defensive tackle Mike Daniels Sunday against the Eagles aren't serious.
Daniels left in the first quarter of Detroit's 27-24 victory Sunday with a foot injury. He did not return.
Slay left in the second half with a hamstring injury, and he too never returned.
Lions head coach Matt Patricia didn't have any injury updates for either player after the game.
Losing Pro Bowlers like Slay and Daniels is never easy, but Detroit will continue to have a a next-man-up mentality when it comes to injuries, which are just a way of life in the NFL.
"I think for our guys, they're used to that next guy – whoever it is – stepping in and doing their job and preparing," Patricia said after the game. "We try to practice the week like that and make sure everyone understands, 'Hey, your role, whenever it comes up, whenever the situation is, we expect you to execute at a high level in those situations.'"
Credit cornerback Mike Ford for stepping in for Slay and making a key play on Philadelphia's last drive to help preserve the win.
Detroit's defensive line stepped up late to help close the door on the Eagles' offense.
ANOTHER 100-YARD RECEIVER
In just three games, the Lions now have four different 100-yard pass catchers on the year. Sunday it was Marvin Jones Jr. reaching the benchmark, with 101 yards on six receptions, including a 12-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Jones made a number of difficult, diving catches, and was Detroit's best player on offense Sunday.
"That's just what I do whenever that thing is up in the air," Jones said after the game of making tough catches. "I don't hear anything, it's just me and the ball. That's what we have to do at the wide receiver position."
So far on the year, tight end T.J. Hockenson (131) and wide receivers Danny Amendola (104), Kenny Golladay (117) and now Jones (101) have 100-yard receiving performances.
"I have a lot of comfort with (Jones) and really all of those guys," quarterback Matthew Stafford said.
It's the first time since 2013 Detroit's had a 100-yard receiver in each of the first three games of the season.
DEFENDING ERTZ
Zach Ertz is one of the best tight ends in the league, and the Lions did a pretty nice job on him Sunday. Detroit knew he'd be a big part of the Eagles' game plan with wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson inactive. The Lions' defense held Ertz to just four catches for 64 yards and kept him out of the end zone.
"He's one of those awesome tight ends in this league that continually every single week shows up," Patricia said. "I'm glad our guys did a good job, but he's someone I have a lot of respect for."
EXTRA POINTS
- At 2-0-1 to start the year, the Lions are undefeated through the first three games of a season for the first time since 2011.
- Detroit didn't allow a sack for a second consecutive contest.
- The Eagles entered the game No. 3 in the NFL in rushing defense allowing 42.5 yards per game. The Lions ended with 86 rushing yards on 28 attempts (3.1 average). One of those runs was a J.D. McKissic 44-yard scamper on a reverse. Kerryon Johnson found it tough sledding Sunday, rushing for 36 yards on 20 carries (1.8).
- Defensive end Trey Flowers and defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr. recorded their first sacks of the season in Philadelphia. Linebacker Devon Kennard recorded his team-leading fourth sack.
