The Detroit Lions secured a significant win against the Arizona Cardinals in Week Three, improving their record to 2-1.
However, the victory came at a cost, as star tight end Sam LaPorta was carted off with an ankle sprain, and pass rusher Marcus Davenport sustained a serious elbow injury.
LaPorta suffered his injury while blocking during a “hook and ladder” touchdown play but seems to have avoided major damage, as he is expected to miss only a short period due to a low ankle sprain.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for Davenport is much worse; he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to his elbow injury.
In addition to these injuries, the Lions faced another setback when Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow partially tore his pectoral muscle early in the game, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Thankfully, this injury is not anticipated to end his season, and Ragnow is considered week-to-week, with hopes of a swift return.
Ragnow, who was drafted 20th overall in 2018, quickly became a vital part of the Lions’ offense, starting from his rookie year.
He has earned three Pro Bowl selections and was named a second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2023.Last season marked a significant achievement for the Lions as they reached the playoffs for the first time in seven years, advancing to the NFC Championship game before losing a close match to the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.
The team had a dynamic offense in 2023 and aimed to enhance its defense for the 2024 season by signing Davenport to a one-year, $6.5 million contract.
However, Davenport has struggled with injuries throughout his seven-year career, including a significant absence last season due to a high ankle sprain.Currently, the Lions hold a 2-1 record for the 2024 season.
They kicked off the year with a narrow 26-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in their home opener, followed by a tight loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-16, in Week Two.
The team managed to overcome multiple injuries to defeat the Cardinals 20-13 in Week Three.
Now, the Lions are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the undefeated Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week Four.
Ragnow has faced a series of injuries over the past season, affecting his knee, ankle, back, and toe.
The veteran player has acknowledged the toll that an NFL season takes on athletes’ bodies.
