The NFL free agency period is still in its early stages, but the Detroit Lions have already made some significant moves. While flashy signings and contract figures often dominate headlines, a deeper dive into the deals reveals much about the team's confidence in a player's health and durability.
The Role of Contracts in Assessing Player Health
The Lions, like every other team, have access to far more medical information than the public. When evaluating free-agent signings—especially their own players—they have a clearer picture of injury histories and recovery progress. While Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes might offer reassuring words about a player's health, the true indicator lies in the structure of their contracts. The size of guaranteed money, incentives, and contract length can reveal a team's real expectations and concerns.
As of March 10, here’s a breakdown of the Lions' signings, along with their age, significant injury history, and an injury concern rating on a scale from 1 to 10—where 1 is minimal concern and 10 is a major red flag.
Key Signings and Their Medical Outlook
DJ Reed, CB - Age 28
Contract: 3 years / $32 million guaranteed (up to $48 million total)
Injury History:
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2024: Knee and groin (missed 3 games)
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2023: Concussion (missed 2 games)
-
2020: Pectoral tear
-
2018: Shoulder labrum, rotator cuff
Concern Level: 2/10
Reed’s contract suggests the Lions are quite confident in his health. Compared to other cornerbacks like Carlton Davis ($34.5M guaranteed) and Charvarius Ward ($35M guaranteed), Reed’s deal has a higher percentage of guaranteed money, signaling strong faith in his reliability. While the concussion is a minor concern—especially given his four-week recovery—it’s not a significant enough issue to overshadow his overall durability.
Derrick Barnes, LB - Age 25
Contract: 3 years / $16 million guaranteed (up to $25.5 million total)
Injury History:
-
2024: Right MCL/PCL tear with surgery (missed 15 games)
Concern Level: 4/10
Initially, Barnes’ injury raised major concerns, but the Lions’ decision to offer a multi-year deal suggests confidence in his recovery. However, given that he hasn’t played since sustaining the injury, there’s still some uncertainty regarding long-term effects. Residual damage, such as meniscus complications, could linger, but overall, the team appears optimistic about his return.
Marcus Davenport, DE - Age 28
Contract: 1 year / $1.65 million guaranteed (up to $4.5 million with incentives)
Injury History:
-
2024: Left triceps tear (surgery required)
-
2023: High ankle sprain (tightrope surgery)
Concern Level: 7/10
Davenport’s contract is structured heavily around incentives, reflecting the Lions' hesitation about his long-term availability. He’ll earn $50,000 per game played, totaling $850,000 if he remains active for all 17 games. Additionally, he can earn up to $2 million based on sack production. The short-term deal suggests significant uncertainty about his ability to stay healthy.
Netane Muti, OG - Age 25
Contract: 1 year / $1.1 million
Injury History:
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2024: Pectoral tear (season-ending surgery)
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2022: Knee surgery (likely meniscus-related)
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2019: Lisfranc injury
-
2018: Achilles tear
Concern Level: 8/10
Muti’s history is a red flag. Multiple severe injuries—including an Achilles tear and Lisfranc issue—have historically ended or severely shortened many careers. While his age is on his side, the frequency and severity of his past injuries make it difficult to trust his long-term durability. The Lions’ low-risk, short-term contract reflects this concern.
Anthony Pittman, LB - Age 28
Contract: 1 year / undisclosed
Injury History: None
Concern Level: 1/10
Pittman’s contract is more reflective of his skill level than any injury concerns. His clean medical history is a positive sign.
Ezekiel Turner, LB - Age 28
Contract: 1 year / undisclosed
Injury History:
-
2021: Shoulder injury (missed three months)
Concern Level: 1/10
Similar to Pittman, Turner’s short-term deal is likely tied to performance rather than medical concerns. A three-month shoulder injury in 2021 isn’t a major red flag.
Morice Norris, DB - Age 24
Contract: 1 year / $840,000
Injury History:
-
2024: Hamstring strain (waived with injury designation but returned within a month)
Concern Level: 1/10
A short-term hamstring strain is hardly a concern, especially given that Norris played in the final three games of the season, including 22 defensive snaps in a playoff game. His contract likely reflects roster management more than injury history.
Final Thoughts
The Lions have taken a calculated approach in free agency, balancing risk with potential rewards. Players like DJ Reed and Derrick Barnes have contracts that suggest strong confidence in their health, while others like Marcus Davenport and Netane Muti have been given deals that minimize long-term risk for the team.
While injuries are always a concern in the NFL, the way the Lions have structured their contracts provides insight into which players they believe can stay on the field and contribute. As the offseason progresses, these signings will be crucial in shaping Detroit’s roster heading into the 2024 season.
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