The Detroit Lions might be walking into Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with their defense hanging by a thread. Four of their top defensive backs — Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, Avonte Maddox, and Brian Branch — are all expected to miss the matchup, leaving Detroit dangerously thin in the secondary.
That’s brutal news for a Lions team that’s been grinding through a strong start to the season, especially considering who’s waiting on the other sideline. The Buccaneers could be getting a massive boost with Mike Evans and rookie standout Emeka Egbuka both trending toward returning.
Yeah, that’s right — the same Mike Evans who can change a game in one catch, and the same Egbuka who’s been itching to make his mark in Tampa. If both suit up, the Bucs’ passing game could go from quiet to explosive real quick.
For Dan Campbell’s crew, this means the pressure shifts big-time to the front seven. Expect Aidan Hutchinson and company to bring the heat early and often, because giving Baker Mayfield too much time with that receiving corps could spell trouble fast.
Still, if there’s one thing these Lions have proven, it’s that they don’t fold when things get tough. But this Sunday? They’ll need every ounce of grit they’ve got to survive against a Bucs team that’s suddenly looking dangerous again.
Injury Nightmare: Lions Lose Four Defenders While Bucs Reload with Evans and Egbuka
