The Lions’ stars have stepped up early today in Los Angeles.
Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and returned it 58 yards on the Rams’ first offensive possession, setting up the Lions in the red zone.
On the very next play, Lions quarterback Jared Goff hit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the end zone to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.
The Lions’ first offensive drive was promising, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell surprisingly didn’t trust his offense on a fourth-and-4, instead sending out kicker Jake Bates, who missed a field goal. Campbell has earned a reputation as the NFL’s most gutsy coach on fourth downs, and his decision to kick when the analytics said to go for it was not a good omen for Detroit. But Hutchinson and St. Brown made big plays to change the game in a hurry.
The Rams will officially have receiver Davante Adams as they take on the Lions in Week 15.
As expected, Adams is active for the contest.
Adams has been dealing with a hamstring injury. While he did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he was limited on Friday with head coach Sean McVay noting that the veteran wideout was expected to play.
In his first year with L.A., Adams leads the league with 14 touchdown receptions. He’s caught 56 passes for 718 yards in 13 games.
On the other side, Detroit left tackle Taylor Decker is active after he did not practice all week.
Detroit’s inactives are safety Kerby Joseph, safety Thomas Harper, guard Kayode Awosika, receiver Dominic Lovett, cornerback Nick Whiteside, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, and defensive lineman Tyler Lacy.
Los Angeles’ inactives are quarterback Stetson Bennett, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, running back Jarquez Hunter, offensive lineman Beaux Limmer, and safety Tanner Ingle. Witherspoon, who has been a significant contributor to Los Angeles’ defense when available, is a healthy scratch.
The NFL levied 18 fines for violations of the on-field rules in Week 14. The biggest went to Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Anzalone drew a $17,968 sanction for “striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.” It happened in the second quarter, after Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson fumbled after a four-yard gain on third and 21.
The video shows Anzalone swooping in after the recovery with a flying leap into Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Booker. Booker immediately reacted, throwing out his hand and looking for a penalty to be called on Anzalone.
That didn’t happen. But the NFL saw it, and reacted accordingly.
The Lions have ruled out a pair of players who were listed as questionable to face the Rams on Friday’s injury report.
Safety Thomas Harper will not play on Sunday. Harper is recovering from a concussion and his absence further thins out a safety group that will be without Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph this weekend. Avonte Maddox, Daniel Thomas, and Jalen Mills are on the active roster while Erick Hallett and Damontae Kazee could be elevated from the practice squad.
The Lions also announced that guard Christian Mahogany will not be activated from injured reserve. He has a fibula injury.
The Lions still have guard Kayode Awosika (foot), left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle), running back Sione Vaki (thumb), and tight end Shane Zylstra (knee) listed as questionable for Sunday.
The Dolphins placed linebacker Caleb Johnson on injured reserve, the team announced Friday.
Johnson injured his shoulder in Sunday’s 34-10 win over the Jets.
He played 22 snaps in two games and totaled two tackles.
The Dolphins used Caleb Johnson’s roster spot to sign safety Isaiah Johnson from the practice squad. Isaiah Johnson, a college cornerback at Dartmouth and Syracuse, was converted to safety this season.
He has spent time on the team’s practice squad the past two seasons and has played in three games this season. Thus, he is out of game-day elevations.
The Dolphins also re-acquired tight end Hayden Rucci after his release from the Lions, signing him to the practice squad. The team waived Rucci on Nov. 29, and the Lions claimed him before waiving him this week.
