Jeff Okudah Suffers Ruptured Achilles in Season Opener
Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, will miss the rest of his sophomore season, after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell alluded to the possibility that the injury to Okudah was severe, in his media session following the Lions' 41-33 loss to the 49ers.
Okudah had an "up-and-down" game, but gave up a long 79-yard touchdown to San Francisco wideout Deebo Samuel.
“Until I really watch the tape, I know the long one we all saw. Man, we got the pressure that we wanted on Jimmy Garoppolo. He just, the ball gets fluttered up in the air on the long one. Jeff just didn’t get his eyes around," Campbell said. "They made a play on the ball, and it hurt. It hurt us. I would say for Jeff, it was an up-and-down game. He flashes on a few plays. You’re like, ‘Wow. Okay, there he is’. And then next thing you know, something happens. I don’t want to make excuses, but at the same time, he’s in year two. He made some young errors, is what he did.”
The 22-year-old defensive back's rookie season was also marred by injury, as he battled a groin injury early in training camp that later required surgery.
Detroit will now likely count on Amani Oruwariye and a trio of young defensive backs in Bobby Price, Jerry Jacobs and A.J. Parker to replace the first-round pick.
- Subscribe to the AllLions podcast on iTunes
- Like and follow AllLions on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter: @detroitpodcast @vitojerome @llamorandier @danielkellybook @CBooher_
- Follow Detroit Sports Podcast on Instagram: @detroitsports_podcast
Become a premium AllLions member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and gets you a FREE subscription to Sports Illustrated! Click on the link below for more
