The Detroit Lions face another high-stakes primetime matchup against the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Monday Night Football before their bye week.

Detroit’s secondary is dealing with injuries and a suspension, but there’s a positive shift in the injury report. Key defensive lineman Alim McNeill is slated for his season debut, and left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) participated in Thursday’s practice in Allen Park.

The timing of the bye week is particularly crucial because the Lions have played consecutive prime-time games. The scheduled week off offers a vital recovery period after this physically demanding and high-pressure stretch.

This break is essential for players like Kerby Joseph (knee) to rest, and for injured defensive backs Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and Avonte Maddox (hamstring) to heal, while DJ Reed (hamstring) remains on injured reserve.

On the latest MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast, hosts Kory Woods and Ben Raven addressed the significance of the bye week’s placement.

Woods noted the time is right “for the lines to reset,” pointing out that many injured players are “coming back on the defensive side” as they prepare for the season’s final games.

Woods also views the bye as a useful “evaluation period” where the team can “sit down and look at things,” assess their performance, and strategize for the remainder of the schedule.

The Lions also anticipate the return of edge rusher Marcus Davenport and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, with Rodriguez potentially practicing post-bye and Davenport needing more time.

While Decker’s availability hinges on how his shoulder reacts to practice, the Dungeon of Doom highlighted McNeill’s “huge” return for the defensive line.

Following the Buccaneers, Detroit hosts the Minnesota Vikings after the bye, then travels for games against the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.
Raven stressed that “Reinforcements are coming…McNeill is a huge re-addition. Yeah, huge. Absolutely huge.”