Detroit Lions first-round choose Blake Miller gained a status at Clemson for being an iron man. In three years in school, he didn’t miss a single recreation, beginning 54 consecutive contests.
When the Lions’ damage report dropped on Monday, it appeared Miller’s NFL streak may very well be damaged after only one recreation. With solely a walkthrough apply, Miller was estimated as a non-participant with a knee damage. And with Detroit on a brief week—scheduled to play the Payments on the street this Thursday—it may very well be too fast of a turnaround to make the sector.
Nonetheless, the rookie proper sort out spoke with the media after apply and sounded extra optimistic about his possibilities of taking part in as a result of progress already made on Monday.
“I’m doing every part I humanly can to get my physique feeling the perfect it could really feel. Even with the progress simply right this moment that I’ve made, I’m glad, and I’m optimistic,” Miller mentioned.
Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned it was potential Miller might play vs. the Payments, however he was slightly extra cautious in his optimism.
“It’s actually powerful to say. We’re going to know much more tomorrow,” Campbell mentioned. “I imply, we actually will. It’s actually arduous to say.”
Miller didn’t level to a single play or second within the recreation through which he suffered the damage. He famous, reasonably, that there was a second on the sidelines the place one thing felt “bizarre,” and when the adrenaline wore off after he had gone residence, he began to really feel it extra.
So Miller was proactive about it. He got here in “as early as I might” to start out engaged on the rehab and “nip this within the bud.”
If Miller can’t go, the Lions do have veteran Larry Borom to step into the function. Borom has 38 begins in his five-year NFL profession, together with 11 begins final yr for the Dolphins.
Elsewhere, it sounds prefer it’s much less seemingly that beginning left guard Christian Mahogany will play this week. Campbell acknowledged that his damage shouldn’t be thought of critical or long-term, however his possibilities of taking part in are worse than Miller’s.
“I don’t assume that is one thing critical long-term, nevertheless it may very well be powerful to get him prepared for Thursday,” Campbell mentioned.
In Mahogany’s place, the Lions performed Ben Bartch for over three quarters on Sunday. Campbell mentioned the veteran guard wanted to knock off some rust towards the Saints, however he’s assured in him shifting ahead.
“I believed there was some actual good and there was some that wasn’t so good. Simply inconsistent, slightly rusty, which I wouldn’t say was that irregular,” Campbell mentioned. “I imply, he obtained a couple of reps, he obtained that final week, and so he’s solely going to be higher as we maintain going right here. He’s performed; he’s a veteran on this league, and the great was actually good, and I anticipate that’s what we’re going to see much more of shifting ahead.”