Fansided

Lions season off to rocky start amid Trey Flowers injury

By Stephen Salvo

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots reacts during the third quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots reacts during the third quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions will be without their prized free agent for the start of training camp. The Lions have placed him on the PUP list to start.

Trey Flowers cashed in big this offseason when he signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Detroit Lions. Never an All-Pro or even a Pro Bowler for that matter, he was an important cog for the New England Patriots defense over the course of his first NFL contract, winning two Super Bowls along the way.

Flowers was signed in part to replace the oft-injured, Ziggy Ansah. However, with the latest report coming out regarding Flowers’ shoulder injury, there’s already a certain level of concern. The defensive end has hit the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as players begin to report.

Per the Detroit Free Press, the “Lions knew of Flowers’ injury before signing him.” While that is sure to be true, it’s unsettling to have their $90 million prized defensive end on the sidelines.

In Detroit, Flowers’ is reuniting with Matt Patricia, his defensive coordinator from New England and head coach of the Lions. The familiarity is there for Flowers and the scheme Detroit implements. Still,  in what can be considered a make-or-break year for Matthew Stafford in Detroit, it’s best to have both units at full strength.

With Flowers sidelined and Damon “Snacks” Harrison reporting to training camp amid his desire for a new contract, the Lions have distractions heading into the preseason.

This is a concerning start for the Lions who have hopes of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. In a crowded division that features strong NFC North teams in the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, it won’t be easy.

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