NEW ORLEANS – The Detroit Lions are hoping to find some consistency on offense today vs. the New Orleans Saints, but they'll have to do it without two key components to that unit.
The Lions will be without starting right guard T.J. Lang due to a back injury Lang's been dealing with. He missed practice Wednesday and Friday, and was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.
Veteran Tim Lelito could fill in for Lang on the right side. Lelito is the only other guard on the active roster.
Rookie receiver Kenny Golladay, who is tied for the team lead with two touchdowns, is also inactive today.
Golladay was limited at practice all week after sitting out the last two games with a hamstring injury. He didn't do a whole lot in practice this week, which doesn't make his inactive status a huge surprise.
As has been the case the last two games without Golladay, veteran TJ Jones should play an increased role as the third receiver, and veteran receiver Jared Abbrederis will be active for a third straight game.
Detroit will also be without running back Dwayne Washington for a third-straight game due to a quad injury he suffered Week 2 in New York. Veteran Zach Zenner will fill in for Washington as the team's third running back again this week.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive end Ziggy Ansah, and tackle Rick Wagner, who were also listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, are active.
This will also be the first game the Lions play without veteran defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who was placed on IR this week with a bicep injury. His absence could be a huge loss to Detroit's third-ranked pass defense. Akeem Spence, Jeremiah Ledbetter and the recently acquired Caraun Reid will try and make Ngata's loss less impactful.
Joining Lang, Golladay and Washington on Detroit's inactive list are: Running back Tion Green, linebacker Paul Worrilow, defensive tackle Datone Jones and defensive end Cornelius Washington.
