The Detroit Lions pulled off a comeback victory Sunday against the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, but the win wasn’t without injury.
Starting center Frank Ragnow was seen in a walking boot on his left foot following the game, while wide receiver Trinity Benson was on crutches. These two are additions to an offense that has already been depleted with injuries.
Head coach Dan Campbell provided updates on both Ragnow and Benson along with previously injured wideouts DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds.
Reynolds has missed each of the last two games, while Chark has been out since Week 3 and is currently on injured reserve.
“I don’t know, we’ll see where they’re at,” Campbell said. “Frank, I don’t know about Frank. I didn’t even know he had a boot on last night. So we’ll see.”
As for the wide receivers, Campbell was vague as far as playing status for the team’s upcoming games. He considered Benson day-to-day, while Chark and Reynolds continue to improve.
“I know Chark’s a little bit better, I know Reynolds is a little bit better,” Campbell noted. “But that’s just that, a little bit better. We’ll know a lot more tomorrow and then getting ready for (the New York Giants).”
Stacking NFL wins
Campbell and his coaching staff are not changing their approaches as the Lions continue to build on their current two-game win streak.
As the team keeps growing and discovering the winning formula, Detroit will maintain the same course it's been on as a staff.
“We’re not changing anything we do,” Campbell said. “We’ve just got to continue to, everything we’ve preached since really day one, we’re still preaching the same things. We’ve tweaked a few things schematically but ultimately nothing has changed so it’s just about continuing to grow, gain your confidence and then when you have an opportunity to make a play, we've gotta make more plays then they did.”
The team seems to be finding its confidence, as evidenced by recent success. Young pieces on the defense have found their footing, while the offense has made key plays at opportune moments.
“It’s just the understanding that, man, if you really want to become a truly competitive team then you have to stack some wins together,” Campbell said. “All the good ones do. Just to eventually get on that path, get on that road, you’ve gotta be able to put two back-to-back. To be able to do it on the road, there again a divisional opponent, those are big things for us. Especially with a young team, because that’s how you grow up in a hurry.”
"Semi-victory" Monday
Campbell said Monday was a “semi-victory Monday,” following the win over the Bears. While he wants the team to celebrate the victory, he’s also aware of the fact that the team must maximize preparation opportunities heading into a 12-day window in which Detroit will play two games.
“These guys have continued to put in the work, we haven’t changed what we do in that regard, they continue to go, but it’s also I know what we’re getting ready to face in this two-week window,” Campbell said. “This 14-day, 12-day window, whatever you want to call it. It’s a semi-victory Monday. Those guys are responsible for, handle your groups, you guys come in and lift together as a group and watch the film together and then get out of here. Treat the body and then get out and get ready to go for Wednesday."
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