The Detroit Lions “next man up” mentality is on the verge of becoming a moot point, as the number of players that can be “next up” is running short with the report that Lions DE Josh Paschal will be out with an illness for Sunday’s bout against the Tennessee Titans.
Earlier today, mLive’s Lions beat reporter Ben Raven reported that something came up in a recent annual check-up. Paschal, who battled cancer in college, assured the media that it is unrelated and nothing has come back, but he needs to focus on getting his strength back ahead of next week’s NFC North divisional game at the Green Bay Packers.
With the loss of both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport, Paschal has been leaned on more by DC Aaron Glenn. Sunday’s game against the Titans may look to be more like a defensive line by committee. “Yeah, that’s why those three guys have to step up between Isaiah (Thomas) and (Al-Quadin) Muhammad and (James) Houston. They have to help, they have to help, and that’s where it goes, but as always, we spread the load across that D-line with Levi (Onwuzurike) and (Alim McNeill) Mac and (DJ) Reader and (Mekhi) Wingo and (Pat) O’Connor, so we have plenty in there and they pick up the slack,” Campbell said during Friday’s press conference when asked about having to play a much deeper version of next man up as the injuries start piling up.