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Jeff Okudah Suffers Ruptured Achilles in Season Opener

Jeff Okudah's second season in the NFL has been cut short.

John Maakaron

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.

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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