Lions Optimistic Cliff Avril Will Play Sunday

The Lions are hopeful that defensive end Cliff Avril will be cleared to return from a head injury his sustained during Week 10’s loss to the Vikings and be able to play Sunday against the Packers, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

“He was much improved after the game, probably more so than a lot of the other concussions that we’ve had,” Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said, via Birkett. “He’ll have to go through a protocol to return. But he presented different at the end of the game than some other guys have.”

Birkett notes that the Lions usually hold players out at least one game after suffering an concussion. If the Avril is unable to go Sunday, it puts the Lions defense in a tough spot considering they are already down starters and losing their team leader in sacks will only make slowing down the Packers high powered offense that much more difficult. The Lions playoff hopes are dwindling so if Avril passes all his concussion tests, don’t expect the Lions to hold him out of the game like they usually would have.

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