Starting Lions cornerback misses practice for second straight day
ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions were missing starting cornerback Carlton Davis III at Thursday's practice, marking the second straight day Davis (quad) has been absent ahead of a critical NFC North matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
It's unfortunate timing for Davis and the Lions, who are tasked with stopping an offensive threat in Justin Jefferson that Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn called the best receiver in the world.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism on Wednesday that Davis would be ready to go for Sunday's matchup, but missing the first two days of practice never bodes well for a player being available on game day.
Positive injury news comes in the form of center Frank Ragnow, right guard Kevin Zeitler and swing tackle Dan Skipper returning to practice. Ragnow and Zeitler were both given veteran rest days to start the week while Skipper missed with a rib injury that dates back to a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals .
If Davis can't go, it seems likely the Lions would try to avoid starting a pair of rookie corners against Jefferson and the ever-dangerous second-year receiver Jordan Addison.
Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor, who took significant starting reps at the tail end of the 2023 season, subbed in for Davis during the team's blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys and would likely be the next man up again this Sunday.
