Former Vikings Defender Back for Lions
No stranger whatsoever to injuries, former Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Marcus Davenport is nearing a clean bill of health, on tap to return to the Detroit Lions’ lineup in the next three weeks.
A former Vikings pass rusher is set to return from injured reserve for the Lions, giving their defensive line a key lift in the second half of 2025.
Davenport had lived on injured reserve with a chest injury in the last couple of months. That will change soon.
Lions Open Ex-Vikings OLB Marcus Davenport’s Practice Window
We shall see if the man stays healthy this go-round
Davenport Inches Closer to Return
Davenport should be back within the next three weeks.
CBS Sports announced Wednesday, “Davenport (pectoral) had his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve opened Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions’ official site reports. Davenport has missed the Lions’ last seven games while on injured reserve.”
“He has progressed enough in his recovery from a pectoral injury to return to practice Wednesday, during which he was a limited participant. Davenport will likely need to log full practices before the Lions activated him from IR.”
Davenport hasn’t played since Week 2.
Life in DET without Davenport
Sans Davenport for eight weeks, the Lions, of course, employ Aidan Hutchinson at defensive end (their version of an outside linebacker) — no problems there. But after Hutchinson, it’s a hodgepodge of players like Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyler Lacy, and Pat O’Connor.
Muhammad has logged 6 sacks without Davenport taking his snaps; Lacy, a relative unknown, has played quieter. Off-ball linebacker Derrick Barnes has 4 sacks, as well, often used in Detroit’s setup as a pass rusher.
So long as Davenport is healthy and engaged, he should bring more oomph to the Lions’ pass rush. If not, Muhammad is a fine fallback plan.
Davenport’s Career in MIN
Davenport’s time in Minnesota was the definition of fleeting. He appeared in four games as a Viking in 2023 — though one of those barely counts, as he limped off the field after a single drive in Philadelphia. For three games, he looked like the game-wrecker the Vikings paid for.
Then came the high ankle sprain, and that was that. His $13 million deal could’ve been a steal if he’d stayed on the field — but he didn’t.
Fans lit him up for disappearing down the stretch, questioning his commitment after the injury, though nothing concrete ever backed that narrative. Drafted by New Orleans in Round 1 back in 2018, Davenport has now logged 69 games (36 starts) across seven seasons, collecting 151 tackles, 27 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles. The story has always been the same: when he’s healthy, he’s dangerous — but the “when” part rarely lasts.
Now What for the Lions’ Defense?
Detroit’s defense ranks 10th in the NFL entering Week 11 per EPA/Play. Without Davenport — so Weeks 3 through 10 — it has ranked 11th. Not a major drop-off with him.
The group has adjusted nicely after last year’s defensive boss, Aaron Glenn, left for a head coaching job in New York (Jets). It’s not a flawless unit — the Vikings even beat the Lions a couple of weeks ago — but it does have the personnel and efficiency to contend for a Super Bowl.
Detroit fans will hope that the best form of Davenport returns soon — and the one that can stay healthy. Injuries are Davenport’s major malfunction.
Lions-Themed Media on Davenport’s Return.
Pride of Detroit‘s Erik Schlitt and Jeremy Reisman on Davenport’s return: “As for Davenport, he’s been out since suffering a chest injury in Week 2. The Lions’ starting defensive end has had a frustrating few years as he’s battled through injury, but Lions coaches have praised his fit in their defense. Both players will now start a 21-day evaluation period.
“At any point during that window, either player can be activated to the 53-man roster and be eligible to play. If they are not activated by the end of three weeks, the team must decide to put them on the 53-man roster or shut them down for the season.”
Detroit skipper Dan Campbell on Davenport back in the summer: “He’s a pretty smooth athlete for a big man. Played the nose, played the three, played the big end. He is, he’s versatile, and that’s why he just keeps competing to stay on rosters because it’s hard to ignore a guy like him. He just, he does so many different jobs.”
Detroit travels to Philadelphia this weekend and is expected to lose by two or three points.
The Lions will also welcome back cornerback D.J. Reed sometime soon, as his practice window opened with Davenport’s.
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