The dropped a winnable game in Week 3 to the Minnesota Vikings, and now sit at just 1-2 and in last place in the NFC North.There are many questions subsequently facing the Lions right now. And, with that said, let's take a look at four "burning" ones, as Detroit gets ready for its Week 4 tilt with the Seattle Seahawks.1.) Who will replace Tracy Walker?For the time being, I believe the Lions will rely upon a collection of safeties to replace the production of Walker.As Detroit head coach Dan Campbell has expre sed, losing Walker is a significant blow to the team's defense."Losing Tracy hurts," Campbell said. "Thats a significant lo s, because (of) multiple reasons. I mean, Tracys been, since I walked in the door last year, hes been all in, and hes one of our team captains this year. Nobodys put in more work than he has, since the spring. And, he is one of the smartest players we have on defense. Thats huge, and hes productive. And so, youre losing a big Rich Hill Jersey cog in the piece that helps you over there."JuJu Hughes, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph, who are all in their third year or le s as pros, are each expected to see an increase in reps due to the lo s of the veteran safety. Hughes replaced in Sunday's lo s to the Vikings, and should get the first crack at starting opposite DeShon Elliott in Detroit's secondary. Campbell offered Hughes some kudos for his performance, albeit in a relief capacity, against Minnesota."He (Hughes) can be better," Campbell expre sed. "But, I thought for, man, not getting those reps and stepping in and doing some of the things he did, it was -- that was good, and thats kind of what we know about JuJu. Hell go in there, and hell be able to function and give you what hes got."I also wouldn't be surprised if cornerback Will Harris, a one-time safety, gets some run at his old position. Walker Buehler Jersey Regardle s, I don't think any of the above players will be quite able to replace the production of the fifth-year pro.2.) Should Swift play this week?I'm going to say no. He's one of Detroit's top two offensive weapons (along with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown), and now he's battling two injuries: an ankle sprain and a shoulder ailment.Additionally, he's been injury prone throughout his NFL career, having never played in more than 13 games since entering the league in 2020.So, now with just two games to go until the Lions' bye week in Week 6, the idea of sitting Swift until the team's Week 7 tilt with the Dallas Cowboys has been floated around.Campbell even has admitted to with the scenario."That's one of the things that I was thinking about last night and this morning," Campbell told reporters. "It's certainly Yasmani Grandal Jersey on my mind, it's on our mind. If you feel like he's good enough to go, we know what he's capable of. But, not at the expense of him not being even up to 75 percent of himself."I'm in favor of the above idea to sit Swift through the bye, as it might just be what it takes to preserve the star running back for the remainder of the season. I'd rather have him mi s two games, than play him and jeopardize his health for the rest of the campaign.3.) Can the Lions get more out of Hockenson?I sure hope so. The fourth-year pro hasn't been consistently productive thus far this year, and it comes after a season in which he suited up for just 12 games. Just like Swift, his injury pronene s has become a concern, as it seems like a physical ailment constantly pops up for the 2020 Pro Bowl tight end.As good as was a season ago (with 61 receptions, 583 yards and four touchdowns), he Kirk Gibson Jersey hasn't really played at a Pro Bowl-caliber level since his sophomore campaign. And, through three games this year, he's recorded just 82 reception yards, to go along with a career-low 8.2 yards per catch and 27.3 yards per game. Plus, he's ama sed a near career-worst catch percentage of 55.6 percent. The only time in which he's caught le s of his pa ses was his rookie campaign (54.2 percent).The Lions could use an immediate boost in production from Hockenson, and I believe the talent is still there to tap into. Hopefully, he starts showing it in Detroit's Week 4 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.4.) What adjustments does the defense have to make?I believe it's two-fold: To me, the most glaring thing is becoming a more capable team at stopping the run. The Lions rank 27th in total rushing yards permitted (427) and yards allowed per carry through three games (5.0). Plus, they rank dead last in rushing touchdowns allowed (seven).That's the first thing Aaron Glenn's defense has to improve upon. However, it's not the only area on that side of the ball that needs to experience a major boost in productivity.It's because Detroit's pa s-rushing unit also needs to take a significant step forward in subsequent weeks. Outside of rookie Aidan Hutchinson's three-sack performance in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, it seems like the team's pa s-rush has been non-existent.In fact, the Lions have produced just four other sacks Joe Kelly Jersey in 2022, with no one else having more than one. And, as a whole, Detroit recorded just one sack a week ago against the Vikings.To me, the lack of a pa s-rush is one of the squad's biggest i sues on defense that needs to be rectified as soon as po sible, if the Lions intend on starting to win games on a consistent basis this season.
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