By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions are staring at a depth challenge as injuries stack up ahead of their crucial showdown with the New York Giants. Entering Week 12, Detroit is facing an uncomfortable truth: their injury list is expanding at the worst possible moment. Five key players were absent from Wednesday’s practice, raising fresh concerns about continuity, stability, and whether the team can remain competitive this weekend. For a Lions squad that has wrestled with inconsistency throughout the 2025 season, the timing of these setbacks could hardly be more frustrating.
Detroit’s newest practice update delivered more bad news. Offensive tackles Taylor Decker (shoulder) and Penei Sewell (ankle) were sidelined, leaving two of the league’s top linemen unable to participate. Cornerback Terrion Arnold is still in concussion protocol, while safeties Brian Branch (toe) and Kerby Joseph (knee) also missed practice. Losing all three members of the secondary in the same week has only intensified the sense of unease.
The issues didn’t end there. Edge rusher Marcus Davenport and cornerback DJ Reed were limited, making Detroit’s defensive depth look even thinner. And although the Giants have their own challenges, the Lions know they cannot afford to walk into the matchup shorthanded, especially with foundational starters on both sides of the ball uncertain for Sunday.
The bigger picture puts these concerns into sharper focus. Detroit sits at 6–4 and remains third in the NFC North behind the 7–3 Chicago Bears and the 6–3–1 Green Bay Packers. For fans, the year has been promising but inconsistent. The offense ranks fourth in scoring at 29.2 points per game, boosted by a 44-point outburst against Washington in Week 10. Yet the flaws resurfaced in Week 11’s 16–9 loss to the Eagles, where failed fourth-down attempts and Jared Goff’s issues under pressure proved costly.
On the other hand, the defense has kept Detroit competitive, holding Philadelphia to a season-low completion percentage and passer rating. Whether they can stay at that level without Arnold, Branch, and Joseph remains uncertain. With injuries piling up, Week 12 is now a test of the Lions’ depth, toughness, and ability to protect their playoff hopes.