| Detroit Free Press
Can Detroit Lions get another Bevell Bounce vs. Green Bay Packers?
The guys make their prediction for Sunday’s Detroit Lions game against the Green Bay Packers. Filmed Dec. 10, 2020.
Everson Griffen was looking forward to renewing acquaintances with his old NFC North rivals Aaron Rodgers, David Bakhtiari and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Now, he will not the chance.
The Detroit Lions placed Griffen on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, and elevated defensive end Kareem Martin to the gameday roster.
Griffen is the fourth Lions player to go on the COVID-19 list during the regular season, and will be the second to miss a game because either he tested positive for the virus or was deemed a close contact of someone who did.
[ Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: Dave Birkett’s scouting report, prediction ]
In early November, the Lions placed linebacker Jarrad Davis, quarterback Matthew Stafford and practice squad safety Jalen Elliott on the list on consecutive days, and were placed in the NFL’s intensive coronavirus protocols after a staff member tested positive for the virus.
Davis missed that week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, while Stafford, who was a close contact of a confirmed positive, spent five days in isolation and was cleared to play hours before kickoff.
More: Detroit Lions lose CB Jeff Okudah for season, scheduled for groin surgery
An NFL spokesperson did not immediately return an email asking if the Lions-Packers game remains on as scheduled.
Griffen, acquired in an October trade with the Dallas Cowboys, has 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks in five games with the Lions this season. He made his first start opposite Romeo Okwara in last week’s win over the Chicago Bears.
Okwara, Austin Bryant and Martin are the Lions’ only healthy defensive ends, and Bryant is questionable to play because of a thigh injury. Defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand, who can play end, could return Sunday from a groin injury.
The Lions (5-7) also elevated offensive tackle Dan Skipper from practice squad to the gameday roster, and signed safety Bobby Price to the 53-man roster as a replacement for Griffen.
The Packers (9-3) have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.