Despite being an eight-year NFL veteran and former first-round pick, Lions EDGE Marcus Davenport only played a total of 67 out of 112 career games with 35 starts. Since being drafted in 2018 by the New Orleans Saints , Davenport’s career has been repeatedly derailed by season-ending injuries. Can Detroit rely on Davenport to stay healthy this year?
Will Detroit Lions’ EDGE Live Up To 2025 Expectations?
No one is questioning Davenport’s performance. He’s proven to be a talented defensive EDGE, recording 43.0 sacks against NFL quarterbacks. His list of take downs includes Jameis Winston, Matt Ryan, Teddy Bridgewater, and Jared Goff when he was with the Los Angeles Rams. During Davenport’s most prolific season in 2021, he recorded 9.0 sacks and 39 tackles for the Saints. That year, he tied for the fourth-highest win percentage (18.3%) and the 10th-highest pressure percentage (9.1%) per PFF.com.
How Davenport Compares To Another From his Draft Class
After missing 45 games throughout his NFL career, serious questions arise about Davenport’s health. By comparison, another eight-year veteran, Philadelphia Eagles’ EDGE Josh Sweat , appeared in 104 games (64 starts) during that same time frame. Both members of the 2018 NFL Draft class, Davenport was selected by New Orleans with the 14th overall pick. Sweat was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round. During his NFL career, Davenport recorded 151 tackles with 81 solo and 27 TFLs, 64 quarterback hits, 23.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, four pass defenses, and one fumble recovery. His production is impressive given the limited number of games. However, in the same time frame, Sweat recorded 237 tackles (148 solo), 43.0 sacks, 11 pass breakups, one interception, and seven forced fumbles.
Is Davenport Injury Prone, Exceedingly Fragile, Or Just Unlucky?
Is Davenport unlucky, exceedingly fragile, or just plain injury-prone? Lions’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator Kacy Rodgers believes Davenport’s been on the receiving end of some bad luck . He explained, “Some of the things he gets hurt (on) are just freaky. I’m sitting here watching the few games before he got hurt, and he was playing dominant.”
A standout at the University of Texas, San Antonio, Davenport remained healthy throughout his four-year career. Recording 186 tackles (100 solo), 37 TFLs, 21.5 sacks, eight pass defenses, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, he returned one fumble for a touchdown. As a senior, he was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Year.
Davenport’s litany of injuries began during his tenure with the Saints in June 2018 with a broken thumb that required surgery. The following year in December, he injured his foot and was placed on injured reserve. A reported shoulder injury in September 2021 led to another injured reserve stint that kept Davenport out of the lineup for five weeks.
By June of 2022, Davenport admitted to a total of five surgical procedures during the offseason. Besides two shoulder surgeries and three on his left hand, he also required a partial pinky finger amputation that dated back to a collegiate injury. During his time in New Orleans, Davenport missed a total of 17 games. Consequently, he and the Saints parted ways the following year.
Davenport’s Most Recent Injuries
Davenport’s talent made him an attractive acquisition in free agency. He went on to sign a lucrative $13 million one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings in March of 2023. However, in Week 6, he suffered a high ankle sprain that left him on injured reserve. Appearing in only four games that season, the Vikings opted not to renew his contract.
In March of 2024, Davenport agreed to a one-year deal with the Lions valued at $10.5 million. The Lions had high hopes for Davenport to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson and become a pivotal defensive combination. Unfortunately, in a Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals, he tore his triceps, prematurely ending his season.
Nonetheless, despite playing in only six games in two years (Detroit last year and the Vikings in 2023), Brad Holmes re-signed Davenport. The one-year contract extension is valued at $3.65 million with performance-based incentives that potentially increase the total to $4.75 million.
Can Davenport Overcome His History of Injuries?
Knowing it’s his make-or-break season, Davenport is determined to stay healthy and contribute to the Lions’ defense. One factor that might improve his physical resilience is a sturdier frame. During his 2018 draft, the 6’6” Davenport weighed 218 lbs. Focusing on his physical conditioning in the offseason, Davenport added muscle and now carries a hefty 285 lbs. His added bulk might better hold up under the rigors of an extended NFL playoff season, making him less injury-prone.
Lions’ DC Kelvin Sheppard sees a difference in the way Davenport is approaching training this offseason. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Sheppard was excited about Davenport’s improved mindset and his commitment to staying healthy. “He’s all in, but I have full faith in that player.” Watching Davenport during OTAs, Sheppard noticed his increased aggressiveness and confidence. He saw a talented veteran player giving his all, pushing hard and not holding anything back.
“Training right now like he plans on being in the season in November and December. Not kind of gauging to get there, he’s training right now in preparation for, ‘I’m doing this this year, I’m gonna be available.” Complimenting Davenport’s agility, he added, “When you look at Marcus, he’s a physical specimen who can do some things that guys of his size shouldn’t be able to do.”
Was it Too Big of A Gamble for the Lions to Re-sign Davenport?
Defensive line coach Rodgers has made a personal commitment to do everything he can to work with Davenport and keep him healthy. Whatever he needs to regain his top form, he’s got Rodgers’ support to achieve that level of production.
When healthy, Davenport’s in there grinding away and creating havoc for the opposition. In 2021, PFF.com gave him an 81.0 for his pass rushing ability. The key with Davenport is not a lack of talent; it’s a lack of availability due to injuries.
Holmes is betting a lot on Davenport staying healthy this season. He’s rarely been proven wrong when he gambles on a player. If Davenport can remain in the lineup to compete throughout the NFL season, then Holmes’ gamble should pay huge dividends.
Main Image: Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
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