Another Detroit Lions defensive lineman’s season is likely done due to injury.
The bad news keeps coming for the Detroit Lions and their defensive line. Not only did Aidan Hutchinson suffer a broken leg that will likely cost him his entire 2024 season, but nose tackle Kyle Peko will also likely miss the rest of the year.
Against the Dallas Cowboys, Peko suffered a pectoral injury, and according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, it’s a full tear and he’s likely to undergo season-ending surgery.
Peko has been Detroit’s reserve nose tackle for the first month of the season, first getting the call up from the practice squad, then signing to the 53-man roster a week into the season. While Peko’s role wasn’t necessarily too big—he averaged just over 15 snaps a game for Detroit through five games—he brought eight years of NFL experience to a relatively young defense.
Detroit does have DJ Reader as their starter at the nose tackle position, but as of right now, they have no backup on the 53-man roster. One option is second-year defensive tackle Brodric Martin, who is eligible to come off injured reserve and appears at least close to returning to practice. Recently, he’s been working with trainers on the sidelines during Lions practices.
“He’s doing a good job, he’s progressed nicely,” coach Dan Campbell said last Friday. “I can’t give you a date, like how close, but he’s right in line to where we thought he would be, so he’s doing really good.”
If he’s not ready, expect the Lions to sign Chris Smith from the practice squad. Smith, who was an undrafted rookie in 2023, made his NFL debut earlier this year for Detroit in Week 1 against the Rams. But after the game, he was cut and added back to the practice squad.
Peko’s injury is the latest in a string of bad luck for the Lions’ defensive front. Already, the following players have suffered injuries that have—or will eventually—land them on injured reserve: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, John Cominsky, Derrick Barnes, Brodric Martin, Kyle Peko.
… and it’s just Week 6.
