10
Loading video...
By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Detroit Lions face a tough upcoming matchup against their undefeated NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 8.
Detroit has won two straight games coming into the matchup and seemingly received good news regarding multiple injured players. On Wednesday, star running back Jahmyr Gibbs was unexpectedly listed as a non-participant on the practice report, but he returned for Thursday's practice.
After Thursday's practice indicated he was surprised to see his name a "questionable" when he got an alert on his phone.
Read More on NFL
"Yeah, it said questionable. I don't know what was questionable," Gibbs said when asked about a shoulder injury. "I was confused ... I'm like, 'What the hell?' But yeah, I just got dinged up a little bit, a little shoulder thing, but I'm good."
Gibbs said he believes the injury occurred on a one-handed catch he made on a third-down play for the Lions. He speculated that a defensive end landed on him after the play and that he would be "fine" for the upcoming Vikings game.
More news: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley Draws Strong Criticism Over Giants Exit Comments
...
So far this season, Gibbs ranks third in the NFL with 134 carries and fourth with 620 rushing yards. He's tallied seven rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns for the Lions, who rank second in points scored per game, second in total yards of offense per game, and first in passing with 282.3 yards per game.
They'll face a 6-0 Minnesota Vikings team known for its defense this season. Aside from their season-opening 39-22 win over the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota has held its last five opponents to 16 points or fewer, including limiting the high-scoring Chicago Bears to just a field goal in Week 2.
Unsurprisingly, their defense ranks first in points allowed, first in turnovers forced per game, second in total yards of offense allowed, and fifth in sacks per game. When it comes to run defense, they allow just 97.8 rushing yards per game to opponents, which is good for 10th best in the league.
Gibbs told reporters that the shoulder wouldn't prevent him from helping with pass protection against a Vikings team known for frequent blitzing. He said he's now in his fourth year of playing against this Vikings team, so he knows what to expect.
"Definitely, we need to be really good in the run game, so they can't sit in all those blitzes," the Lions running back said Thursday. "So I think that's the main thing. Just doing good on first and second down then having a manageable third down so they don't get all the exotic pressure looks and all that."
The Detroit Lions face the undefeated Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1.
More news: Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty Takes Shot at Jets Defense Before Week 8 Clash
For more about the Detroit Lions and the NFL, head over to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines