The Detroit Lions just delivered a major jolt to their Thanksgiving game plans — and to the rest of the NFC North. On the eve of a critical showdown with the Green Bay Packers, Detroit activated veteran defensive end Marcus Davenport from injured reserve, clearing the way for him to suit up for the first time since Week 2. For a Lions defense that’s struggled to consistently affect quarterbacks off the edge, this is as close to a holiday gift as it gets.
Davenport has been sidelined since suffering a pectoral/shoulder injury in Detroit’s Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. Before going down, he had logged five total tackles and one sack in two games, opening the season as the starting edge defender opposite Aidan Hutchinson. While the box score numbers weren’t eye-popping, his presence changed how offenses slid protections — and that’s exactly what the Lions have been missing over the past two months.
In Davenport’s absence, Hutchinson has carried the bulk of the pass-rush load, racking up 8.5 sacks and constant pressures as Detroit’s primary edge threat. Al-Quadin Muhammad has chipped in with six sacks, but many of those have come from interior alignments or stunt looks. The Lions tried to patch together Davenport’s role with a rotation that included Tyler Lacy and even defensive tackle Alim McNeill kicking outside at times. Still, the combination of size, length, and burst Davenport provides simply hasn’t been replicated.
The Lions didn’t stop at the defensive front. Detroit also activated rookie offensive lineman Miles Frazier, who had been on the PUP list since suffering a knee injury in May. Frazier missed all of training camp and the early part of the season, but has recently been working at both guard and tackle in practice. His return comes at a critical moment: starting center Graham Glasgow has been ruled out, while tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell and guard Tate Ratledge are all listed as questionable heading into Week 13. Frazier’s versatility could prove invaluable if the game turns into a physical trench battle, as it often does against Green Bay.
In a move that raised eyebrows across the league, Detroit also officially reinstated All-Pro center Frank Ragnow from the reserve/retired list. However, he was placed on the Commissioner exempt list — a designation that prevents him from playing but allows the Lions to carry his rights without using a 53-man roster spot. It’s a procedural maneuver that suggests Detroit wants to keep future options open with Ragnow while still focusing on the current depth issues at center, where Trystan Colon is expected to start with Kingsley Eguakun elevated as his backup.
To make room for the new activations, the Lions made a tough call in the backfield, waiving veteran running back Craig Reynolds. Once a reliable rotational option and fan favorite, Reynolds had recently slipped down the depth chart behind Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors and was a healthy scratch in multiple games. With David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs firmly entrenched at the top of the rotation, Detroit chose roster flexibility over keeping a fourth back on standby.
Detroit also moved to fortify its offensive weapons for Thursday. Tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receiver Tom Kennedy were signed from the practice squad, providing immediate depth in light of injuries to Brock Wright (neck) and Kalif Raymond (ankle). Firkser offers a dependable short-area target and red-zone option, while Kennedy — a familiar name to Lions fans — brings timing and chemistry with the quarterbacks, as well as special teams value.
The Lions didn’t forget about their game-day versatility, either. In addition to Eguakun, they elevated tight end Zach Horton, an undrafted rookie who can play as a traditional tight end, H-back, or even a fullback-type piece in certain personnel packages. With the offensive line banged up and the game likely to feature heavy sets and play-action, Horton’s flexibility could give offensive coordinator Ben Johnson a few extra wrinkles to deploy.
One name notably missing from the flurry of activations: defensive end Josh Paschal. With his 21-day practice window expiring, the Lions opted not to move him to the active roster, which means he’ll remain on the reserve/NFI list for the rest of the season. It’s a disappointing development for a player Detroit hoped would be part of the long-term rotation, but it underscores just how crucial Davenport’s return has become.
With first place and playoff seeding implications on the line, the Lions are clearly pushing every possible button before hosting their division rival. Marcus Davenport’s return, combined with strategic roster tweaks on both sides of the ball, signals one thing loudly ahead of Thanksgiving: Detroit is all-in on making this holiday game a statement.
