Injuries a detriment, but not an excuse, for the Detroit Lions

Injuries are a part of the game in professional football.

Except for the 1992 Dallas Cowboys.

Those Cowboys lost only eight games by starters due to injury that season on the way to winning the first Super Bowl of the Jerry Jones era. Their worst injury was to starting free safety Ray Horton, who spent four games on injured reserve at midseason. A healthy Dallas team became the best team in the NFL. The Cowboys finished the season with the same lineup that started the year, mowing down the Buffalo Bills, 52-17, in the Super Bowl.

For three months this season the Detroit Lions were the best team in the NFL, reeling off 11 consecutive victories on the way to a franchise-best-ever 12-1 start.

But injuries have chipped away at their dominance. The Lions lost linebacker Derrick Barnes in September and Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson in October. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill and cornerback Carlton Davis have since joined them on injured reserve and running back David Montgomery is expected to be added to that list at some point this week.

The Lions have now lost 39 games by starters due to injury this season. With three games remaining in the regular season, that’s 15 more games those five players on IR figure to miss, pushing the count of games lost by starters in 2024 to at least 54.

Three players who started games as injury replacements – defensive linemen Marcus Davenport and Kyle Peko and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez – have joined them on IR, as have kick returner Khalif Raymond and special-teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin. There are three players currently starting for the Lions who were not even on the roster at Thanksgiving.

Coach Dan Campbell refuses to use injuries as an excuse as his team bids to capture its first-ever NFC championship. Nor should he.

Mike McCarthy didn’t use them as an excuse in 2010. His Green Bay Packers were decimated by injuries. They lost running back Ryan Grant on opening day and offensive tackle Mark Tauscher, linebacker Nick Barnett and safety Morgan Burnett in the second week. All went on season-ending injury reserve. Tight end JerMichael Finley missed the final 11 games and linebacker Brad Jones the final nine games, finishing their seasons on injured reserve.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Donald Driver, Pro Bowl edge rusher Clay Matthews and defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins and Ryan Pickett also spent time on the sidelines with injuries that season.

In all, the Packers lost 91 games by starters due to injury that season – but still managed to win 10 games, qualify for the playoffs as a wild card and capture the Lombardi Trophy with four consecutive road victories in the playoffs. No team ever lost more games by starters to injury in a single season and won a Super Bowl.

The 2003 New England Patriots weren’t far behind. Coach Bill Belichick didn’t use injuries as an excuse, either.

Those Patriots lost guard Mike Compton and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin in the second game with season-ending injuries. Right tackle Adrian Klemm’s season ended with an injury in the third week. Fullback Fred McCrary missed 12 games, wide receiver David Patton 10 games, linebacker Ted Johnson eight games and nose tackle Ted Washington six games.

In all, the 2003 Patriots lost 87 games by starters due to injury – but still went on to win 14 games, an AFC East championship and second consecutive Super Bowl.

McCarthy and Belichick both found ways to overcome the devastation of injuries. The reward was too great – a Lombardi Trophy.

Now it’s Dan Campbell’s turn.