GREEN BAY – The Detroit Lions are getting a couple key pieces back on both sides of the football tonight for their NFC North matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football.
Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay returns to action after missing Week 4 vs. Kansas City with a hamstring injury. Last week's bye came at a good time for Slay, who obviously benefited from a week of rest to get back into game shape.
Detroit will also have the services of veteran slot receiver Danny Amendola, who also missed the Chiefs game due to a chest injury suffered the week prior. Amendola has 11 catches on the year for 141 yards and a touchdown.
It's also good news for rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson. He left the Chiefs game in the second half with a concussion, but worked through the return-to-play protocol this week and was cleared to play.
Detroit won't have the services of veteran safety Quandre Diggs, however. Diggs left the Chiefs game in the first half with a hamstring injury. He was limited in practice all week, and listed as questionable coming in, but is inactive for this one. Look for veterans Tavon Wilson and C.J. Moore, along with rookie Will Harris, to fill the void for Diggs at safety.
The Lions already ruled out defensive linemen Mike Daniels (foot) and Da’Shawn Hand (elbow) and rookie cornerback Amani Oruwariye (elbow). It's probably a little disappointing for Daniels to be inactive for this one. He spent his first seven seasons in the NFL playing for the Green Bay Packers before they released him this offseason. Hand has yet to play in a game this year after injuring his elbow in training camp.
Joining Daniels, Hand, Diggs and Oruwariye on tonight's inactive list for the Lions are: Guard Oday Aboushi, guard Beau Benzschawel and quarterback David Blough.
Quarterback Jeff Driskell will be Matthew Stafford's backup tonight.
