By Sunday 
When Injuries Force Action
If you’re a Detroit Lions fan, you’ve probably been biting your nails a little this week. Marcus Davenport, the team’s defensive end, is dealing with a chest injury and could miss multiple games. While the good news is that it’s not season-ending, it does leave a big hole in the Lions’ pass rush.
Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t sugarcoat it: “Yeah, I don’t see Davenport playing. We’re still trying to decide what to do,” he said. Campbell remains confident in the depth of the team’s edge rushers, but fans and analysts alike are asking the same question—can Detroit consistently pressure the quarterback without their star opposite Aidan Hutchinson?
Enter Jaelan Phillips
Detroit’s looking at a potential solution: Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old edge rusher is healthy now and has shown flashes of brilliance early in his career. Over his first two and a half seasons, he racked up 22 sacks in 42 games, along with 52 QB hits and 24 tackles for loss.
Sure, injuries have slowed him down in the past, but if Detroit can snag Phillips on a prorated portion of his $13.25 million salary, they’d be adding a proven pass rusher without breaking the bank.
Why It Makes Sense
Detroit’s pass rush has been inconsistent so far. They dominated against the winless Bears in Week 2, racking up four sacks—but struggled against the Packers in Week 1 with just zero sacks. Adding a player like Phillips could stabilize that edge and give Hutchinson a real partner in crime on defense.
With the Lions at 1-1 and still in the playoff hunt, timing is crucial. A one-year addition like Phillips could be exactly what Detroit needs to turn potential into consistent results.
Bottom Line
The Lions aren’t panicking, but this is the perfect window to reinforce their defense. If Jaelan Phillips comes to Detroit, it could be the move that separates a good team from a playoff contender.
Fans, it’s time to keep an eye on the edge—because things might get a whole lot more exciting.