The Detroit Lions will be without offensive guard Ben Bartch on Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers, while cornerback D.J. Reed remains in line to play despite carrying a rib injury.
Bartch, who sat out every practice this week because of the foot issue, was officially ruled out in Detroit’s Week 4 injury report. Reed, meanwhile, was listed as questionable after being limited, but the expectation is that he will not be held out.
Reed’s early-season play has been a talking point, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard addressed the veteran corner earlier this week. Sheppard said it’s been “an honor to coach a player like D.J. because he's totally accountable, totally accountable," and pointed to Reed’s experience and response to coaching.
“Yeah. It's an honor to coach a player like D.J. because he's totally accountable, totally accountable," said Sheppard.
"He's kind of like Jack (Campbell) in that sense to where he doesn't like, 'Oh, what are you talking to me about that?' He's right now, 'Coach, I got to be better.'
Well, how? When I'm in that scenario, I'm on the red line.
You should do this. When I'm off the red line, do that.
He has these answers because he's got a lot of time on task in this league. And to be quite frank with you, D.J.'s in phase on a lot of these balls and he understands that."
Sheppard also referenced Reed’s matchup with New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson in the fourth quarter last week, noting that Reed had made plays during the game but was frustrated by a few catches that helped fuel the Jets’ comeback.
Reed had his own conversation with Sheppard about the standard on those plays.
"I told him, 'What is the standard, being in phase or making the play at the point of attack?' He answered, 'Coach, I got to make those plays and I will.'
And I'll be honest with you, the one catch that Garrett Wilson had, I believe it might have been 4th-and-6. Listen, I mean, my gosh, that's why that guy's paid 30 million a year," said Sheppard.
"He's through the basket, back down through the basket. The ball's coming out and he re-catches it.
When that stuff happens, all good, D.J., let's go. Next play.
"It's more important trying to get him to the next play. And listen, stuff happens.
'That ain't good enough, Shepp.' And he's mad at himself trying to get him to the next play and understanding, 'I like where you're at on that coverage.
We'll find a way to get it out.' But in some of these scenarios, D.J.'s totally in phase.
It's about finishing at the point of attack.”
Detroit’s official Week 4 injury designations listed Bartch as out and Reed as questionable.
In Other News...
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The immediate assignment, though, is straightforward enough. Detroit is focused on keeping Bryce Young from settling in, and Campbell said the biggest defensive concern beyond that is handling tight ends in the middle of the field. He also raised the possibility of rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder getting defensive snaps, a reminder that the Lions may not be done adjusting the group as they balance short-term needs with longer-term decisions. [Read more 🡒]
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What happens after that will be the part Detroit is watching most closely. The Lions would then have the 21-day window to work through before deciding on activation, and Kelvin Sheppards recent comments about the defense and its preparation only add to the sense that the unit is bracing for a potentially meaningful addition. For a team trying to keep its defensive rhythm intact, Branchs return would be one of the more notable developments on the horizon. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes the calculus trickier is that the answer may not be about those players alone. The Lions also have to factor in how younger talent is coming along and whether injuries create new pressure points before the deadline arrives. If those developments keep breaking the right way, Detroit could find itself making some difficult calls on useful pieces rather than simply adding help. [Read more 🡒]