INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Detroit Lions are going to test their depth at safety today against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams' No. 3-ranked passing offense.
Detroit placed safety Brian Branch (achilles) on season-ending injured reserve this week and list both Kerby Joseph (knee) and Thomas Harper (concussion) as inactive. That leaves Avonte Maddox, Daniel Thomas, newly claimed Jalen Mills and Erick Hallett, who was elevated from the practice squad, available to be the last line of defense for Kelvin Sheppard's defense.
Maddox played well last week stepping in for Harper, who left Detroit's win over Dallas early with a concussion. Maddox, an eight-year veteran, had eight tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defended against the Cowboys.
Thomas has played in eight games for the Lions this season, Mills played four games with Houston before being released and Hallett has played in two games for the Lions, including one start against Tampa Bay in that win over the Bucs where the Lions were without four starters in the secondary.
"We'll be good," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week when asked about the safety position. "Look, Hallett's been taking reps, (Daniel Thomas) DT's been taking reps, Maddox has been taking reps. We've got plenty of guys. They're getting valuable reps, so we're good."
Detroit will also be without guard Kayode Awosika for a second straight contest with a foot injury. Detroit could rotate veteran Trystan Colon and rookie Miles Frazier at left guard like they did last week against Dallas.
The good news for the Lions is left tackle Taylor Decker, who missed practice all week dealing with a shoulder injury, is active. He was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.
Wide receiver Kalif Raymond, tight end Shane Zylstra and running back Sione Vaki are also active today after being listed as questionable. The Lions also elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad for today's game.
Joining Harper, Joseph and Awosika on Detroit's inactive list today against the Rams are: Wide receiver Dominic Lovett, cornerback Nick Whiteside, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and defensive lineman Tyler Lacy.
