Detroit’s Brian Department, one of many prime safeties within the NFL, suffered a torn Achilles within the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys — a big hit to the crew’s playoff hopes.
The information, reported Friday by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, is a big blow for Department, a third-year participant from Alabama who’s set to grow to be a free agent after the 2026 season. He was anticipated to quickly search a contract extension.
Department — who left the sport on crutches and carrying a strolling boot, in keeping with the Detroit Free Press — underwent additional checks Friday morning. The crew was already with out cornerback Terrion Arnold (season-ending shoulder harm) and security Kerby Joseph (knee).
Detroit’s Brian Department ranked amongst NFL’s finest safeties
Earlier than the season, Pro Football Focus ranked Department because the fifth-best security within the NFL, behind Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield Jr., Atlanta’s Jessie Bates, Inexperienced Bay’s Xavier McKinney and Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton.
Now, Department — a Professional Bowler final season and the crew’s third-leading tackler with 79 in 2025 — faces an in depth rehabilitation course of. According to the National Library of Medicine, “athletes have been in a position to return to skilled sport participation 76% of the time, with imply time” of restoration of 11 months.
In Department’s absence, the Lions might flip to veterans Avonte Maddox or Daniel Thomas.
The Lions (8-5) are third within the NFC North, trailing the Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-3-1) and Chicago Bears (9-3).
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