Campbell: Lions have 'bad taste in our mouths' amid mounting injuries
Head coach Dan Campbell is refusing to let a rash of injuries become an excuse to derail the Detroit Lions' grand ambitions, delivering a passionate rant Tuesday on how his team should respond to adversity with three regular-season games remaining.
"You know what happens is, you win 11 in a row, and you lose and then the sky falls," Campbell said during an interview on 97.1 The Ticket with Jim Costa and Jon Jansen. " I hate to say it, but we're not going to win 11 in a row for the rest of the season.
"You know what happens is, you get used to eating filet, and I'm talking all of us, and everything is good. ... But you forgot what it was like when you had nothing, and you ate your f------g molded bread. And it was just fine, and it gave you everything you needed. And sometimes you got to get punched in the mouth and remember what it used to be like to really appreciate where you are."
The Lions have compiled an impressive 12-2 record despite needing to overcome a slew of injuries throughout the campaign. Detroit's injury report only grew after the club snapped its 11-game winning streak in a 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend, announcing Monday that running back David Montgomery and defensive lineman Alim McNeill suffered season-ending knee injuries in the contest.
However, the Lions received some positive news on the injury front, with star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson saying in a recent interview that he's on track to return for Super Bowl LIX if Detroit makes it, per NFL Network's Peter Schrager. Hutchinson underwent surgery in October to repair a fractured tibia and fibula.
The team also placed starters Marcus Davenport, Alex Anzalone, and Derrick Barnes on the injured reserve this year.
Campbell said Tuesday that the Lions owe it to their injured teammates to finish the season on a strong note, adding that the absences of key players provide an "unbelievable opportunity" for others.
"We got (a) bad taste in our mouth. We got kicked around the other day. We lost a few guys. And you know what, it's exactly what we needed," Campbell said.
"We're going to put the best 11 on the field and freakin' cut it loose. ... I don't give a crap if we got to win by one point for the rest of the year, that's what we're going to do, and I'm going to be happy about it."
The Lions hit the road for matchups against the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers before closing out the regular season against the Minnesota Vikings at home on Jan. 5.