Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dan Campbell has interesting take on Lions' 1-1 start, flurry of injuries

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/20/23

The Detroit Lions got off to a roaring start in 2023, earning the first win of the NFL season in a road upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Less than two weeks later, the vibe could be changing after the team not only lost their home opener in overtime in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, but head coach Dan Campbell's squad is also facing a flurry of injuries to key players.

With a 1-1 start, Dan Campbell says the #Lions are “back in the mud” and “back to reality” after high expectations entering the year. “Its doom and gloom outside of this building and in this world, but let’s just honker down and go to work. Let’s get back to what we do well."
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 20, 2023

Among those who didn't practice on Wednesday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press , were Pro Bowl wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe), starting running back David Montgomery (thigh), starting safety Kerby Joseph (hip), Emmanuel Moseley (knee), starting offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) and starting offensive tackle Taylor Decker (ankle). On top of these ailments, Lions starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) and linebacker James Houston (ankle) may be done for the year.

Dan Campbell reiterates "there's a chance" CJ Gardner-Johnson will return this year. CJ is having surgery on his pec, Campbell said it's "a very clean injury."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 20, 2023

One more injury note: James Houston potentially looking at an end-of-year return, if he returns at all
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 20, 2023

Detroit hosts the undefeated Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, so players who only landed on the injury report on Wednesday (like St. Brown), still have a few days to get healthy enough for Week 3.

Though the Lions are 1-1, they're still tied with the Green Bay Packers atop the NFC North, with both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings tied for last at 0-2. The NFC North is the only division in the conference without a 2-0 team.

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