It's looking more likely that the Detroit Lions could have a new face at quarterback on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Starter Jared Goff missed practice Wednesday with an oblique injury, giving way to Tim Boyle for first-team practice reps, Lions coach Dan Campbell said. Goff's injury, suffered in a 16-16 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, is being deemed day-to-day.
"It's more functionally," Goff told reporters Wednesday. "The pain is whatever, I can mask that. It's being able to function fully. We'll see.
"If I can throw it as hard as I want to and it doesn't pull on me, then I can go. If not, then I can't."
A starting assignment for Boyle would mark the first of his career.
Undrafted out of Eastern Kentucky University, Boyle was signed by the Packers and played sparingly in Green Bay the last two seasons, attempting just four passes. He's been sidelined with a broken thumb sustained in the Lions' last preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, but was designated for return from injured reserve and returned to practice last week.
David Blough is the Lions' other option at quarterback. Blough made five starts as a rookie in 2019, but lost them all and appeared in just one game last season.
Any sort of an offensive spark from Boyle would be a welcome sight in Detroit, where the Lions rank 30th in the league in points per game (16.7).
With Goff behind center, the Lions have struggled to an 0-8-1 record and remain the NFL's only winless team. Campbell has expressed concern with Goff's play, but also with his offensive line's pass protection, and has stuck with Goff as a starter throughout a disastrous season. Against the Steelers, Goff threw for just 114 yards and 4.5 yards per attempt.
