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The Detroit Lions placed rookie linebacker Jahlani Tavai on injured reserve Monday. Official team reporter Tim Twentyman confirmed the move on Twitter.
Jahlani Tavai (shoulder) will be placed on IR today
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) December 23, 2019
Tavai suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury is to the same shoulder as his injury in college, but it is currently unknown what the severity of this injury is.
Tavai’s shoulder injury is on the same side as his injury in college, but Patricia doesn’t say if it’s the same injury.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) December 23, 2019
Also said he didn’t have information regarding how long into the offseason the injury will affect Tavai.
The rookie linebacker joined the Lions after being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. His selection came as a surprise, but he had a strong rookie season and stood out as the team’s best linebacker this year.
He totaled 36 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in his rookie year. The move to injured reserve means that he will sit out the season finale against the Green Bay Packers next week.
Tavai joins fellow starting linebacker Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones on injured reserve. The other two starters were placed on IR earlier this month.