The Detroit Lions placed three players on injured reserve while bringing in some reinforcements at cornerback.
The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday the placement of three players on injured reserve: defensive tackle Alim McNeill, cornerback Carlton Davis, and cornerback Kahlil Dorsey.
On Monday, Lions coach Dan Campbell confirmed that all three players suffered serious injuries, two of which will require surgery. McNeill reportedly has a torn ACL, Davis suffered a broken jaw, and Dorsey suffered a leg injury that required immediate surgery on Sunday night. Campbell noted that the seasons for McNeill and Dorsey are over, but left the door for a late return for Davis should the Lions make a deep playoff run. All three will have to miss the next four games, at a minimum, meaning Davis wouldn’t be available until after Detroit’s first playoff game.
At this time, it’s unclear why running back David Montgomery wasn’t also placed on injured reserve. Campbell noted on Monday that the veteran running back suffered an injury that will require surgery and end his season.
UPDATE: Team reporter Dannie Rogers talked to Montgomery who said they’re working through logistics and when asked if he could still play this year, he responded, “I hope so.”
RB David Montgomery is hosting a coat drive here in Detroit just days after Dan Campbell said he’ll need surgery and will be done for the season.
Montgomery said he’s alive and well when I asked how he’s feeling. Told me he wasn’t put on IR today because he’s working through… pic.twitter.com/HVGjOSaUAF
— Dannie (@dannierogers___) December 17, 2024
“Looks like he’s going to require surgery that’ll put him out through the rest of the year, and he had gotten it at some point yesterday in that game,” Campbell said. “I mean, David’s so tough, man, he continued to play through and then got it checked out today and realized that’s what it was.”
With three roster vacancies, the Lions confirmed the previously reported signing of linebacker Anthony Pittman off the Jaguars’ practice squad. As of right now, two roster vacancies on the 53-man squad remain.
Additionally, the Lions made a change on their practice squad, cutting defensive end Isaiah Thomas and signing cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver. A seventh-round pick in 2020, Thomas-Oliver spent his first three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, making 25 game appearances but playing mainly on special teams. A month ago, Thomas-Oliver signed with the UFL Birmingham Stallions for the 2025 season.
At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Thomas-Oliver gives Detroit a much-needed body who can play outside cornerback in a pinch. Campbell noted on Monday that they are still discussing how they will adjust to losing Davis for the foreseeable future. Detroit has options, including Kindle Vildor, Emmanuel Moseley, Morice Norris (practice squad), or a shuffling of other versatile defensive backs, including moving Amik Robertson outside, bringing safety Brian Branch back to the cornerback level, or activating Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve.
“We’ll see,” Campbell said. “We’ve got options, and we’ll find the best combination of guys and go from there.”
