Lions are struggling toward finish line

It has been a long season for the Detroit Lions, and there is still more adversity ahead.

At 2-13-1, things obviously haven’t gone well, but first-year coach Dan Campbell has been dealing with a roster decimated by injuries and COVID-19. More than 80 players have been active for at least one game and only one player — rookie offensive tackle Penei Sewell — has been able to stay on the field all year.

In the first 16 games, Sewell only missed four offensive snaps. On Monday, he was placed on the COVID-19 list.

“He’s been more mature than a normal rookie since the day he got here,” Campbell said Monday. “He’s as smart as a whip.”

Detroit’s COVID-19 list also claimed its other starting offensive tackle, Taylor Decker, who caught a touchdown pass in Sunday’s 51-29 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and linebacker Austin Bryant.

“We have to prepare as if we’re not going to have them Sunday against the Packers, even though the new rules make it possible for them to be back,” Campbell said.

“We thought we had a good chance of getting (wide receiver) Josh Reynolds back for Seattle, and that didn’t work out, so we’re going to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

Reynolds came off the list on Monday, along with guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai and tight end Brock Wright. That should give Detroit’s passing game a few more options against the Packers after they were forced to throw backto-back passes to offensive tackles against the Seahawks.

STOCK UP

Backup quarterback Tim Boyle didn’t have a great game, throwing three interceptions in his third career start, but Campbell was happy with his progress.

“I thought he did a pretty good job of

reading defenses and he made some really nice throws,” Campbell said. “He still plays a little too fast, so he’s not always set when he throws, but I think these reps have been invaluable for him.”

STOCK DOWN

Russell Wilson was never going to be a great matchup for a short-handed defense, but the Seahawks came into the game at 5-10 with a below-average scoring offense. Giving up 51 points and having Seattle take a knee to keep it from getting higher isn’t a good look for anyone on that side of the ball.

INJURIES

The Lions are hoping to get QB Jared Goff back against the Packers after he’s missed back-to-back games with COVID-19 and a nagging knee problem.

KEY NUMBER

228 – the number of losses for the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons during 2021. That’s the most ever put up by four teams in the same city, breaking the record of 226, set by Detroit in 2019.

AP The Detroit Lions, who have been decimated by injuries and COVID-19, are waiting for the clock to finally hit zero on their long season.