Lions DE John Cominsky Suffers Torn MCL, May Return For Playoffs

Detroit Lions veteran defensive end John Cominsky tore the MCL in his right knee at practice Tuesday and now is expected to be out indefinitely, sources informed NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Detroit Lions defensive end John Cominsky could return for the NFL playoffs in January 2025

Cominsky could be “possibly back for the playoffs” should the Lions qualify, according to reports. Cominsky was carted off the field Tuesday, when the team had its second padded practice.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Cominsky started all three of Detroit’s playoff games after starting 11 of 16 games in the regular season. He posted two sacks in the regular season and two quarterback hurries in the postseason.

Through 57 career games (20 starts), Cominsky has totaled six passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 107 total tackles, 51 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 25 quarterback hits.

#Lions veteran DE John Cominsky is out indefinitely with a torn MCL, per me and @MikeGarafolo and he’s set to have surgery. The belief is he’s out 5-6 months, which does open the door to a potential return for the playoffs. But for now, the focus is on rehab. pic.twitter.com/mFjYTCqOUx

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2024

Additionally, Cominsky had career highs of four sacks and 32 tackles in his first season with the Lions in 2022 after playing for the Atlanta Falcons during his first three years.

Cominsky’s injury came a week after the team signed defensive lineman David Bada. No corresponding move was necessary to add Bada to the roster because the Lions received an exemption for him as an international player.

Bada, 29, was born in Germany and played for multiple European teams before signing with the Commanders in 2020 through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP).

Detroit must now rely on Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport

New defensive line coach Terrell Williams said in the spring that his job would be to build up the confidence of the defensive line. Detroit finished 23rd in sacks last season with just 41.

“My job is to help them get better but also to build up their confidence. Because when you tell them they’re bad and they’re this and they’re that, then they start to believe it. It’s important that they listen to who they need to listen to, which is us in this building,” said Williams.

“No offense, but not you guys. You can’t define them, we’ll define them and what they are and who they are and the way they walk and the way they talk and the way they play football. That’ll come from us in this building.”

Aidan Hutchinson, drafted No. 2 overall in 2022, is Detroit’s top defensive end. The Lions are also relying on veteran Marcus Davenport after signing him to a one-year, $10.5 million contract in the offseason.

Last season, the Lions finished the regular season at 12-5, tying a franchise record for wins and ending in a three-way tie with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys for the best record in the NFC.

In January, the Lions won two playoff games in the same postseason for the first time since 1957. However, in the NFC Championship Game, the team lost 34-31 to the Niners after leading 24-7 at halftime.

It was the Lions’ first NFCC appearance since 1991.