The Detroit Lions expects the return of a key defender, and is beginning to return to practice for a couple of other members of the defense.
On Wednesday, Dan Campbell said the team expects the return of defensive end Josh Paschal after missing the past two games with an illness. Additionally, defensive backs Ifeatu Melifonwu and Emmanuel Moseley will start their 21-day practice windows after suffering injuries during training camp.
Paschal told reporters that he had found a small mass on his shoulder that turned out to be non-cancerous during a recent checkup.
Josh Paschal tells reporters they found a small mass on his shoulder that was not cancerous
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) November 6, 2024
Moseley has only played in one match with Lions since first signing with the team before the 2023 season. He suffered a torn ACL in his only game last season, then suffered a tear during joint practices with the New York Giants in August of this year.
Melifonwu, meanwhile, has been out for the regular season after suffering an ankle injury in training camp. He was inactive for the first three games of the year before being placed on injured reserve before the Week 4 game against Seattle.
Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin left Sunday’s win over Green Bay short with a shoulder injury, and Malcolm Rodriguez continues to work his way back from an ankle injury against Tennessee.
“JRM didn’t really do anything today. Rodrigo, he’s better, we’ll see how he looks tomorrow, if he can go out and train,” Campbell said. “Really, other than that, that’s about it. Feeling pretty good about Paschal, obviously Jamo’s back. Oh, we’ll start the clock on E-Man (Moseley) and Iffy (Melifonwu).”
The Lions also opened defensive tackle Brodric Martin’s practice window last week.
