Report: Brandon Copeland has a torn pectoral, will miss 2017 season

With earlier news that Kerry Hyder most likely has a torn Achilles and won’t be healthy until 2018 training camp, the Detroit Lions were in a tough place at defensive end. Ezekiel Ansah remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, free agent addition Cornelius Washington remains out of practice, as does Armonty Bryant, who is facing a four-game suspension anyway.

Healthy defensive ends were hard to come by on the Lions’ roster, and now things may be even worse.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Lions defensive end/linebacker Brandon Copeland tore his pectoral muscle against the Indianapolis Colts and will need surgery that will end his 2017 season.

The story has since been confirmed by the Detroit Free Press and ESPN.

Copeland left Sunday’s game in the second half. The Lions announced he was questionable to return with a shoulder injury. He did not return to play.

Though Copeland played linebacker for the Lions last year and had mostly been practicing as a linebacker this offseason, he has had experience at defensive end with the Lions. Considering the massive amount of injuries, it wasn’t surprising to hear that he had been getting more reps as a defensive end as training camp rolled on.

But now it appears Copeland will no longer be an option at either position, leaving the Lions with an even bigger hole at one of their weakest positions, as is. The Lions do not have practice on Tuesday, so there’s a good chance they’ll bring in some talent for at least a tryout then.