PHILADELPHIA – The Detroit Lions will have their defensive leader back on the field today in Philadelphia vs. the Eagles.
After missing the first two games of the season due to an ankle injury suffered Week 3 of the preseason, linebacker and defensive captain Jarrad Davis is active today and will make his 2019 regular-season debut.
"I think he obviously provides a layer of leadership, I'll say comfort or calmness, to the middle of the defense when he's out there because of his knowledge and his ability to control the middle part of what we do in the defensive scheme," Lions head coach Matt Patricia said of Davis this week.
"He's the leader of our defense and somebody that kind of ties the middle of our defense together between the defensive line and the secondary, which it is a big communication system that works through our defense, and it starts from the inside out."
Davis was Detroit's leading tackler last season (100) and one of only two players in the league with at least 100 tackles and six sacks. His return is a big boost for Detroit's defense, and adds to an already deep and talented linebacker unit for the Lions.
Detroit will also have the services of left tackle Taylor Decker, who missed last week's win over the Los Angeles Chargers due to a back injury. Decker was limited in practice all week and was listed as questionable coming into today's matchup, but he's good to go.
Cornerback Rashaan Melvin was also questionable with a knee injury but he's also active and expected to start opposite Darius Slay on the outside.
Safety C.J. Moore was also listed as questionable with a heel injury, but he'll give it a go as well.
The Lions ruled out defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand (elbow) Saturday afternoon. Joining Hand on today's inactive list for Detroit are: Quarterback Jeff Driskel, wide receiver Travis Fulgham, guard Beau Benzschawel, guard Oday Aboushi, cornerback Amani Oruwariye and running back Paul Perkins.
