Carlton

Davis

Davis went into the blue medical tent in the third quarter and then immediately walked back into the locker room. We’d say that this should help the Bills’ wide receivers get open, but we doubt it would be true.

Vrabel declined to comment on the health of his lineman and what led to his injury, but Williams was limited on Wednesday before being a DNP on Thursday, so it’s safe to assume he is legitimately questionable heading into the AFC East showdown against the Bills. Williams has totaled nine tackles and two sacks this season to go with five TFLs. In addition to Williams, Vrabel also said LB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), CB Carlson Davis (illness), and LB Jahlani Tavai (calf) would all be questionable for Week 5.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the contract includes $34.5 million guaranteed. It’s a good deal for the 28-year-old corner. Davis played well in his lone season with the Lions, totaling 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. However, he suffered a broken jaw late in the year and ended the season on injured reserve. After seven NFL seasons, Davis has yet to play more than 14 games in a single year. For the Patriots, Davis’s health is worth the gamble as they had over $120 million in cap space heading into free agency. Signing him is just one of many moves they will be making over the next week as they look to spend a war chest of cash.

On the same day, the Lions learned they lost defensive tackle Alim McNeill for the season they also learned they would be without Davis for the foreseeable future. Davis will almost certainly be out for the remainder of the regular season, but there is a chance he could return for the postseason if the Lions make a deep enough push. That will prove difficult with so many key defenders on injury reserve, but Detroit’s high-powered offense gives them a fighting chance in any given week. Davis has started all 13 games he’s appeared in for the Lions this season, totaling 56 tackles two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 11 pass breakups. His absence will be felt by a defense that has been marred by injuries this season.

This is a brutal blow for the Lions’ secondary. Davis currently ties for a team-high 10 forced incompletions and ranks third on the team in interceptions (two). The 28-year-old veteran is a free agent after this season.

In addition to the jaw injury, Davis is being evaluated for a concussion after making a tackle on Buffalo Bills’ runnig back Ray Davis early in the second quarter. The Lions defense has lost a lot of players on the defensive line and in the linebacker corps, so their secondary has had to carry them lately. Losing Davis against the Buffalo offense would be a tough blow.

Decker’s absence is a big blow for a Lions offensive line tasked with slowing Bears DE Montez Sweat. The Lions’ defense will also be short-staffed; CB Carlton Davis III (knee/thumb) has likewise been ruled out.

Zeitler did not practice on Wednesday and was upgraded to a limited session on Thursday. He was downgraded to a DNP to close the week, putting him on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend. Pro Football Focus has Zeitler graded as one of their 10 best guards this year. Cornerback Carlton Davis was the only other Lions listed as questionable. He practiced in full on Friday and should be good to go.

Branch is coming off an excellent Week 6 where he tallied two interceptions and a forced fumble in the Lions’ big win over the Cowboys. The NFC Defensive Player of the Week was limited due to a knee injury in the Lions’ first practice of Week 7. Nothing indicates yet that Branch is in danger of missing time, so expect him to play this week. Meanwhile, CB Carlton Davis (quad) did not practice.

It’s reportedly for a 2024 draft pick. Increasingly injury prone with a bloated salary and diminishing statistical returns, Davis is nevertheless still only 27 years old. He’s a sensible bounce-back candidate for the “good vibes” Lions. Cornerback is an extreme position of need for the Lions, so Davis will undoubtedly remain an every-down player when healthy. He is healthy for the offseason program.