By Moses Joshua 
Lions face critical absences as Philadelphia primetime clash looms
The Detroit Lions are preparing for what may be one of the defining games of their 2025-26 campaign — a primetime Week 11 battle against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, November 16. With both teams perched atop the NFC and carrying strong records — Detroit at 6-3 and Philadelphia at 7-2 — every edge matters. But just days before kickoff, the Lions were dealt a tough double blow.
Two Starters Ruled Out in Friday Injury Report
Detroit avoided disaster earlier in the week when defensive cornerstone Aidan Hutchinson returned to full practice following a brief scare involving an elbow injury. What seemed like a promising trend shifted sharply on Friday, November 14, when the team released its official injury report — and announced two major losses.
Sam LaPorta and Terrion Arnold were officially ruled out for Sunday’s matchup. They joined Kerby Joseph and Josh Paschal, who were also unavailable.
LaPorta’s absence is particularly jarring. The second-year tight end showed no signs of injury during Week 10, yet he failed to log a single practice snap this week. In his place, Detroit is expected to rely on Brock Wright and Ross Dwelley, while determining whether a third option will be elevated for depth.
Arnold’s loss further strains a secondary already managing inconsistency. Against a Philadelphia offense headlined by Jalen Hurts — and a receiving corps capable of dictating a game’s rhythm — the timing couldn’t be worse.
Hutchinson’s Return Offers a Vital Boost
While the injury list brings concerns, Hutchinson’s availability provides a crucial counterbalance. The star edge rusher continues to deliver one of the most dominant defensive seasons in the NFL.
Through 2025-26, Hutchinson has accumulated 18 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, 57 pressures and 38 hurries, along with seven sacks and an NFL-leading four forced fumbles, according to league tracking. Pro Football Focus has awarded him a 91.2 overall grade, ranking him third among 114 edge defenders, and a 92.3 pass-rush grade, second-best in the league.
Given Detroit’s injuries in the defensive backfield, Hutchinson’s ability to disrupt Jalen Hurts may be the Lions’ most reliable defensive weapon on Sunday night.
Play-Calling Storyline Continues Into Week 11
Another subplot entering the Eagles matchup is Detroit’s offensive leadership. Last week against the Washington Commanders, head coach Dan Campbell reclaimed play-calling duties from first-year offensive coordinator John Morton.
Campbell emphasized that Morton handled the shift with complete professionalism.
“Listen, John Morton’s all team. That’s all he cares about,” Campbell said. “He just wants to win… he wants to help where he can, and he was outstanding today.”
Campbell went on to praise Morton’s attitude:
“He’s a grinder, he’s a worker… Of course it probably doesn’t feel too good, but he’s also a pro and he understands everything, so we move on.”
Whether Campbell continues calling plays against Philadelphia remains to be seen — but after a 44-point explosion in Week 10, the Lions may stick with what worked.
Detroit now enters Sunday night knowing the challenge ahead has grown. With two major contributors sidelined, the margin for error narrows — but if this season has shown anything, it’s that the Lions don’t back down from adversity. The stage is set for a fight worthy of primetime.