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The Lions Have Ruled Four Players Out For Thursday Night's Game

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 7:05 PM ET

The Detroit Lions will enter a seismic Thursday Night Football encounter against the Green Bay Packers without some noteworthy contributors.

Detroit boasts an NFL-best 10-game winning streak after escaping Thanksgiving with a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. By defeating their division rivals for the second time this season, the Lions can maintain control of the NFC North and the conference's No. 1 seed.

On Wednesday, Detroit announced four inactives for Week 14. Veteran offensive tackle Taylor Decker will miss the game with a knee injury. The defensive line must also combat Green Bay without D.J. Reader (shoulder), Josh Paschal (knee), and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring).

Decker has started 122 games since joining Detroit as a first-round pick in 2016. The 30-year-old missed Thanksgiving's game and another narrow Week 9 triumph over the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football.

The Lions fell short of their NFL-leading scoring average (31.9) last Thursday, but they still averaged 5.9 yards per play behind 194 rushing yards.

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Offensive tackle Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the bench against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

A defense already missing superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is severely short-handed for Thursday night.

Reader, who joined the Lions this offseason, registered two of his three sacks last Thursday. He's tallied five quarterback hits in the last two games.

Paschal has started six of his 10 games this season, collecting two sacks and 19 tackles. The 24-year-old played just seven snaps before exiting the Week 13 contest.

After three years in Detroit, Onwuzurike has made his first six career starts this season. The 290-pounder has 10 quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

While an elite offense has drawn more praise, the Lions rank 10th in total defense. Only the Los Angeles Chargers have allowed fewer points per game than their 16.9.

That unit will face a significant test against Green Bay's No. 3 offense. The Packers have deposited 88 points in three straight wins since falling 24-14 to the Lions in Week 9.

Prime Video will stream the Thursday Night Football rematch at 8:15 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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