The Detroit Lions have announced their inactive players before the week three game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Unfortunately, the Lions will be without one of their captains on defense, as Alex Anzalone apparently failed the NFL’s concussion protocol and will miss this game. The Lions have plenty of depth at the linebacker position — including six on the roster — and will rely on Jack Campbell (MIKE), Malcolm Rodriguez (WILL), Derrick Barnes (SAM) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Coverage) in gameday roles.
“Well, I’ve said this all along, but I have a lot of confidence in that linebacker room,” coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week. “Jack (Campbell) has done a good job for us since OTAs and training camp backing up Alex (Anzalone) and being able to make the decisions and be in front of that huddle, so I have no problem with that. Rigo (Rodriguez) has been a starter for us for quite a long time, so I’m very comfortable with him coming in and getting those reps as well. So that’s a room that I have the most confidence in regardless of who plays. Even if Germ (Reeves-Maybin) has to play, I expect him to go out there and play at the same level as any other linebacker we have. So I have confidence in those guys.”
With the return of Marcus Davenport to the lineup, the Lions also decided to remove James Houston from the roster.
The Lions made no changes to their 53-man roster this week, but promoted wide receivers Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson, bringing Detroit’s game-day roster to 55 players.
Since the Lions have eight offensive linemen in action for Sunday’s game, they can expand their roster for the game day from 47 to 48 players. Therefore, with 55 Players on the matchday squad and 48 eligible players must be declared by the Lions seven players inactive for today’s game.
Non-active Lions:
- WR Isaiah Williams (abdomen)
- LT Giavanni Manu
- RT Colby Sorsdal
- EDGE James Houston
- Linebacker Alex Anzalone (concussion)
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (thigh) – out on Friday
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) – out on Friday
Inactive Cardinals players:
- RT Kelvin Beachum (thigh) – was listed as questionable
- OL Jon Gaines II
- TE Travis Vokolek
- WR Xavier Weaver
- LB Jesse Luketa
- LB Victor Dimukeje
- CB Darren Hall
