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The Detroit Lions knew this Week 15 matchup against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams was going to test their depth, and now we know just how much. After a rough week of injury updates, Detroit will roll out two brand-new starters in the secondary on Sunday.
The bad news hit fast:
- Kerby Joseph (knee) → OUT
- Thomas Harper (concussion) → Downgraded to OUT
- Brian Branch → Officially placed on IR following season-ending Achilles surgery
That’s three safeties unavailable… in a game where you’re facing Stafford, Puka Nacua, and one of the NFL’s top passing attacks.
So who steps in?
Next Men Up
Detroit will now lean on a completely reshuffled safety group featuring:
- Avonte Maddox (29)
- Erick Hallett (36) — elevated from the practice squad
- Daniel Thomas (2)
- Jalen Mills (13) — claimed off waivers just days ago
With Joseph and Harper out and Branch done for the year, the Lions are expected to start two new safeties against the Rams — likely Maddox and Hallett, though Thomas and Mills should also get some reps.
Hallett gets the call-up from the practice squad, while Mills, who arrived Wednesday, could be pushed straight into action. Not exactly ideal timing, but that’s life in December football.
The Bottom Line
The Lions’ secondary is being held together with tape, grit, and emergency depth pieces. If Detroit is going to slow down Stafford and the Rams, these new faces will have to grow up fast. Sunday officially becomes a “next man up” game in every sense, and Detroit’s playoff hopes may depend on how well these new starters respond.
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Don Drysdale
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