Already missing starting center Travis Swanson (concussion) for tonight's Wild Card matchup in Seattle, the Detroit Lions got more bad news regarding the health of their offensive line, as right tackle Riley Reiff is also inactive and won't play.
Reiff missed last week's regular-season finale after making a late appearance on the injury report the day before the game with a hip injury.
Second-year tackle Corey Robinson started in Reiff's place at right tackle last week, but injured his foot and was placed on injured reserve this week.
That means third-year tackle Cornelius Lucas is expected to make the start tonight against a Seattle defense that ranks third in the NFL in sacks with 42.
The good news is that Lucas does have some experience under his belt. He's played in 35 career games with six starts in three seasons in Detroit after the Lions signed him as undrafted free agent signing out of Kansas State in 2014.
"Hopefully everybody on our roster is ready to play their position tomorrow," Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said this week when asked about Lucas.
"Cornelius has been around a while. Cornelius has played some ball for us. He's been active some. He's been inactive some, but he knows what he's doing. He knows what we're doing and I'm confident he can play as many snaps as we need."
Newly signed veteran Garrett Reynolds could play the third/swing tackle role.
The news is better for linebacker DeAndre Levy and receiver Andre Roberts, who were both questionable coming in. Both are active.
Joining Reiff and Swanson on Detroit's inactive list tonight are: Receiver Jace Billingsley, quarterback Jake Rudock, cornerback Alex Carter, fullback Michael Burton and linebacker Antwione Williams.
