The Lions are the latest team to announce the list of players who will be sidelined for the start of training camp this week. An announcement on their website confirms three additions to the active/PUP list, and a pair of players who are now on the non-football injury list.
Included among the former group is edge rusher Romeo Okwara. The 27-year-old was limited to just four games played in 2021, as he suffered a torn Achilles in October. That marked a disappointing start to the three-year extension he signed the previous offseason, and left his training camp availability very much in doubt. When he returns, he will look to return to his 2020 form, in which he totalled a career-high 10 sacks.
Another key defender on the shelf is cornerback Jerry Jacobs. In his rookie season last year, the Arkansas alum started nine of 13 games as Jeff Okudah‘s campaign was limited to a single contest. Jacobs registered a 61% snap share before himself suffering a torn ACL in December. He should be in line for a significant role once again this season.
Second-round rookie Josh Paschalis the final inclusion on the PUP list. He was sidelined during spring workouts, though it is unclear if today’s move is the result of complications recovering from that injury, or of a new one. Head coach Dan Campbell said, “We’re trying to be smart with him,” adding that Paschal has “got a lower extremity injury.” The Kentucky product will feature in the team’s new-look defensive front when he is back on the field, which should be the case soon.
The situation is different, of course, for rookie wideout Jameson Williams. The No. 12 overall pick suffered an ACL tear in the national title game (which is why he is being placed on the NFI list, rather than PUP). General manager Brad Holmes recently spoke about his and the team’s optimism that a full recovery will be made. That likely won’t happen in time for the start of the regular season, but when he does make his debut, the Alabama product will add a dynamic speed element to Detroit’s passing attack.
The other NFI inclusion is linebacker Natrez Patrick, who signed as a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Rams. He, like any of the other four players, can be activated at any time before the regular season kicks off.
Andrew Whitworth will be back for the Rams’ playoff opener. After missing seven games because of an MCL tear and PCL damage, the 15th-year left tackle is back on Los Angeles’ active roster.
The Rams activated Whitworth from their IR-DTR list and waived linebacker Natrez Patrick, per a team announcement. Whitworth returned to practice last week and was viewed as likely to return in time for Rams-Seahawks III.
Whitworth, who intends to return for a 16th NFL season, has the Rams’ starting left tackle since arriving in 2017. He has started in each of the team’s previous four Sean McVay-era playoff games. Pro Football Focus graded the 39-year-old blocker as its No. 4 overall tackle through 10 games this year. Whitworth suffered the injury during the Rams’ Week 10 win against the Seahawks.
In addition to Whitworth’s impending return, the Rams saw Cooper Kupp return to practice and are expected to haveMichael Brockers back this week as well. Both missed Week 17 after landing on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list as high-risk close contacts.
