Campbell, players back DC Sheppard after Lions' defensive woes continue — SkimNews
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- Dan Campbell said the Lions will "exhaust everything" before considering moving on from DC Kelvin Sheppard after a 32-26 road loss to Carolina, shouldering blame himself rather than the coaching staff.
- Detroit's defense has allowed at least 30 points in three of its first four games — the first time that's happened since the infamous 0-16 2008 season — and is giving up a league-worst 31.8 points per game.
- Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan torched the Lions' secondary for a franchise-best 14 catches, 192 yards, and two touchdowns, while CB Rock Ya-Sin was ruled out in the second half with a hamstring injury.
- Lions CB D.J. Reed deflected blame from coaches, saying "it's a players thing" and acknowledging the defense has surrendered a league-high 1,216 passing yards through four games.
- Linebacker Jack Campbell (14 tackles) joined the defense of Sheppard: "Shep works hard. Dan believes in him, I believe in him," arguing against panic at 2-2 with 13 games remaining.
Why it matters: At 2-2 with 13 games left, Campbell is buying Sheppard room to fix a defense giving up a league-worst 31.8 points per game — a pace not seen since Detroit's 0-16 2008 campaign. With the secondary already banged up (Ya-Sin's hamstring) and a league-high 1,216 yards through the air allowed, patience has a short window before results force a change.
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