COVID-19 made its way through the Detroit Lions secondary earlier this month, and now the virus is taking aim at the offensive side of the ball.
The Lions placed wide receiver Trinity Benson on the reserve/COVID list Thursday, bringing their total number of COVID cases to 15 in the past 18 days.
The Lions restored cornerbacks Nickell Robey-Coleman and Corey Ballentine to the practice squad from the practice squad reserve/COVID list Thursday, but still have five players in COVID protocols: Benson, quarterback Jared Goff, offensive tackle Matt Nelson, injured receiver Quintez Cephus and practice squad cornerback Chris Williamson.
Tim Boyle is in line to make his second career start in Goff’s place Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Linebacker Julian Okwara (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, but the Lions remained without two key defenders because of injury.
[ Dan Campbell: Lions offense won’t be ‘hindered’ with Tim Boyle at QB ]
Cornerback Amani Oruwariye missed his second straight practice with a thumb injury, and linebacker Josh Woods remains out with a neck injury.
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Running back D’Andre Swift and left guard Jonah Jackson practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day. Swift has missed three games with a sprained shoulder, while Jackson sat out last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals with a back issue.
Jackson had played every offensive snap this season prior to his injury.
“It’s rough (sitting out),” Jackson said. “Like you said, I’ve played just about every snap so missing that one game and not being out there with the guys, you definitely feel like a little bit of an outsider just sitting out and watching. But take it for what it is, get healthy and be back this week, ready to roll.”
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.