The Lions were carving up the Bears on Thanksgiving, but not without paying a steep price. Just when you thought Detroit’s defense was hitting its stride, the injury bug struck. And it didn’t show any mercy… First, defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Then, it hit DE Josh Paschal with a blow that he could not find his feet to recover from (quite literally).

Paschal went down with a knee injury in the second quarter. For the Lions, this was the ultimate blow. Or if we do you one better: it was the nail in the coffin. But what will it do to Detroit in the long run? Well, it’s hard to predict, considering their form.

However, if anything, we started seeing the after-effects of it during the Bears game. Chicago trimmed down the lead to 20-23 by the 4th quarter. And you could see the Lions’ fans started to feel the unnecessary nervousness inside the Ford Field.

Paschal’s injury happened on a Bears pass play, leaving Lions fans holding their breath. If we lay out the post-injury in the order of events, then, first, the medical team checked him on the sideline before deciding that it’s better to call it a day there. Paschal head straight to the locker room, from where his return was labeled “questionable.”

If you’re wondering who stepped up in his absence. Well, there’s hardly anything to ponder on, given the stretched-out depth chart they have. However, Patrick O’Connor saw more action. But let’s be real—O’Connor filling in isn’t exactly the plan Dan Campbell drew up for his Thanksgiving feast. No one in Detroit did!

For a team already grappling with defensive depth issues, these injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Lions have been roaring this season, but losing two key D-linemen in one game? That’s a problem even their high-octane offense might struggle to mask.

Josh Paschal adds to the Lions’ defensive woes

The Lions D-line just can’t catch a break, can it? They must be breathless… Certainly, they are inactive. And now, Josh Paschal bites the dust. A key man in Detroit’s seven, he met the premature end to his game owing to a knee injury. I mean, Josh was the last person they wanted ‘out’. Why? Well, we can give you a sneak peek. But we’d suggest you watch some of his highlights to get the ultimate satisfaction.

Drafted 46th overall in 2022, Paschal’s rise has been one of grit and perseverance (Ah! The Cliche’s, right? Wrong!). He’s the guy you root for. Remember when he beat malignant melanoma in 2018? But the footballing gods did not show mercy upon him as they tested him with shoulder surgeries. And yet, he found his footing as a power rusher, Paschal is as resilient as they come. But now, with 42 tackles and four sacks in just 28 career games, he’s sidelined again. Tough pill to swallow, huh?

And it’s not like the Lions had defensive depth to spare. Already missing Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, and Alex Anzalone, Josh Paschal’s absence feels like the final straw. Throw in injuries to key offensive and special teams players—like Kalif Raymond and Taylor Decker—and Detroit is running out of healthy bodies faster than a two-minute drill.

It’s starting to feel like the Lions are fielding a practice squad on Sundays, and yet, they’ve somehow maintained their hot start. Impressive, sure, but also a little nerve-wracking, don’t you think? If the Lions want to keep this dream season alive, they’ll need every ounce of their “next man up” mentality. As they say, a wounded lion is the most fierce. So, can you imagine what the wounded Lions would be like?