Denver — Here are four observations after having a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 38-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.
First down
Sample size aside, Craig Reynolds’ impressive showing presents an interesting dilemma for the Lions.
The young running back isn’t a new commodity in the league. He’s been around a couple of years, appearing in games for Washington and Jacksonville since going undrafted out of Kutztown (Pennsylvania) in 2019, but Sunday’s 13 touches was, by far, his most extensive work in a regular-season game.
With those touches, which included two receptions, Reynolds produced 99 yards from scrimmage, highlighted by a 35-yard run in the second quarter. It was reminiscent of his preseason showing, when he was injected into the lineup without a practice and turned six carries into 49 yards and a touchdown. He epitomizes the phrase “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”
His preseason efforts earned him a practice squad spot, where he’s been stashed all season. On Sunday, he was one of seven players from the practice squad promoted to help compensate for depth issues across the roster related to a COVID-19 outbreak.
On Monday, he’s scheduled to go back to the practice squad, but as a suddenly more marketable player. So it’s worth asking, should the Lions find a way to get Reynolds on to the main roster for the stretch run to prevent him from being poached by a running back-needy team?
The Lions unquestionably have plenty of depth at running back. The rotation is headed by D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, with Godwin Igwebuike and rookie Jermar Jefferson providing solid depth. A fifth back would be a luxury.
The most sensible approach would be placing Swift on injured reserve to make room for Reynolds. The dynamic dual-threat has missed the past two games with a shoulder issue and if there’s even a hint of concern he could do long-term damage, the team might as well put him in bubble wrap until the 2022 campaign.
Reynolds might not play another down for the Lions, even if he gets the call up. Williams presumably will be back off the COVID list in short order, and Jefferson, who also has flashed with his limited playing time, should be closer to full strength going forward after battling an ankle injury and the flu last week.
That said, it’s worth rewarding a guy for taking advantage of an opportunity, while maintaining reliable depth for this season and beyond.
Second down
As mentioned, the Lions needed to promote seven players from the practice squad the day before the game. Those seven ended up combining to play 141 snaps on offense and defense, as well as another 49 on special teams. That was probably more than anticipated, given veteran corner Nickell Robey-Coleman had to step in early in the game after Jerry Jacobs exited and played 62 snaps on defense.
Beyond the required contributions of practice squaders, plenty of young, inexperienced players already on the roster were called upon to play larger roles.
Jessie Lemonier, who had 57 defensive snaps under his belt through two seasons, including just 12 with Detroit this year, started in place of Julian Okwara and logged 44 snaps. Safety Jalen Elliott, who made his NFL debut in October, more than doubled his season snap count. Undrafted rookie center Ryan McCollum played all 63 snaps in place of Evan Brown (COVID), who already was filling in for Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow.
Meanwhile, linebacker Josh Woods, who had just four defensive snaps prior to stepping into a bigger role with Jalen Reeves-Maybin out last week, had to take on an even bigger workload, as well as the play-calling duties, after Alex Anzalone went out with an ankle injury in the first quarter.
So while it was admirable Lions coach Dan Campbell rejected any excuses due to injuries and illness, and that message was echoed by every player who spoke after the game, very few NFL teams are built to overcome this type of adversity, especially one with a roster as talent-deficient as Detroit already was coming into the week.
Third down
Each week, I get an email from the league updating me on the top-10 vote-getters from fan Pro Bowl balloting. That represents one-third of the selection process, with the league’s coaches and players making up the other two-thirds. As you might expect, the Lions aren’t doing too well.
T.J. Hockenson, a Pro Bowler last year, is seventh among tight ends. Amani Oruwariye, bolstered by a career-high five interceptions, checks in at ninth with the cornerbacks. And long snapper Scott Daly and Jason Cabinda are the other Lions, but a lot of that likely correlates with where they’re listed on the ballot.
It’s possible, maybe even likely, the Lions don’t have a Pro Bowler this season. And I know what you’re saying, why should they be represented in the league’s annual all-star game? It’s far easier to argue that point of view when the team has won just one of its first 13 games.
But I’d argue two players who haven’t cracked the top-10 in the fan voting are worthy of consideration. Punter Jack Fox continues to be one of the league’s premier players at his position and ranks in the top-5 in gross and net punting.
The only thing holding Fox back from consecutive Pro Bowl honors, and from challenging his franchise records in those statistical categories this season, is a higher number of touchbacks. He’s currently the second-worst in the league in that area, with eight boots bounding into the end zone.
The stronger case, believe it or not, might be Penei Sewell. After a rough patch early in the season, where he allowed four sacks in two games, the rookie has been stellar. That’s especially true after making the switch to right tackle. Week in and week out, he’s among the best players on the field, despite being one of the youngest in the NFL.
Sewell isn’t going to get recognized by the fans, and might have a difficult time jumping the line over more established veterans with the coaches and players, but the first-round pick has legitimately been on the league’s premier right tackles since Taylor Decker’s return. Whether that’s recognized now remains to be seen, but as things are trending, there are plenty of postseason honors ahead for Sewell.
Fourth down
With each loss down the stretch, the Lions inch closer to locking down the No. 1 pick, and that doesn’t figure to change next week, with the Arizona Cardinals, holder of the league’s best record (pending Monday’s result), coming to town.
An equally important game to Detroit’s draft situation will be held in Jacksonville this week, where the 2-11 Jaguars host the 2-11 Houston Texans. Whoever emerges victorious in that slap fight will have a 1½-game lead on the Lions, which would seemingly assure Detroit a top-two selection.
And would picking No. 2 be all that bad, with either the Jaguars or Texans ending up in the top spot? The Jaguars don’t really need an edge rusher after spending first-round picks on the position two times in the past three years, so there’s a high likelihood they opt for an offensive tackle to protect last year’s No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Houston is a little bit more of a wild card, but early prognostications have them in the market for an edge rusher. That could be Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, which would leave Detroit with the other, which would be a fine consolation prize.
Heck, in that scenario, the Lions might even be able to convince the Jaguars or Jets to trade up a spot or two for the offensive tackle of their choosing while still getting their guy.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers