51 Jahlani Tavai OLB

Tavai produced 58 tackles and two forced fumbles over 16 games in 2020.

Despite staying relatively healthy most of the year, Tavai massively failed to take advantage of the opportunity left behind by Jarrad Davis, a 2018 first-round pick whose passing-game limitations rendered him a role player in 2020. Tavai, a 2019 second-rounder (but arguable reach), has all but certainly proved to be even less effective in pass coverage while given every chance to assert himself as Detroit's middle linebacker of the future this season. While there's a chance that the sinking ship that was Detroit's defense in 2020 -- the Lions gave up franchise-worst marks in points (519) and yards allowed (6,978) -- simply brought Tavai down with it, the apparent lack of speed in the Hawaii product harbors concern that Tavai might not be an every-down linebacker in the NFL.

Tavai (shoulder) could push Jarrad Davis for reps at middle linebacker in training camp, Tim Twentyman of the Lions official site reports.

Tavai had a solid rookie campaign with 58 total tackles, two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble, though he missed the season finale after picking up a shoulder injury. The Lions declined Davis' fifth-year option for 2021 this spring, so Tavai could make a push for the starting job with a strong showing in camp.

Tavai (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Tavai sustained the injury during Sunday's loss to the Broncos and will miss the season finale. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the injury is to the same side as the injury that limited the 23-year-old during his senior season at Hawaii.

Tavai (shoulder) won't return to Sunday's game against the Broncos.

The rookie second-rounder finishes the contest with three solo tackles. It's unsettled whether this injury could keep him out of the season finale against the Packers, but we'll have a better grasp on his status when practices start Wednesday.

Tavai (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Broncos.

The specifics surrounding the injury remain unclear, but he was forced to leave the game in the second quarter. As long as Tavai is out, Jason Cabinda would be in line to see an uptick in snaps at the middle linebacker position.

Tavai is expected to start at middle linebacker in Jarrad Davis' (ankle/knee) place, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Davis is on injured reserve, so this is a chance for Tavai -- a rookie second-round pick -- to prove what he can do in a starting role. Tavai has already performed well this season, recording 50 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble over 13 games.

Tavai recorded three solo tackles and one sack in Sunday's loss to the Bears.

The rookie second-rounder did not start but still received a sizable 38 defensive snaps, third to only Jarrad Davis (44) and Christian Jones (41). Tavai's numbers were not eye-popping against the Bears, but it is clear by his snap count that he is becoming more involved in Detroit's defensive scheme. The Lions' linebackers will face a major test in Week 11 against the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott.

Tavai put up 10 tackles and one pass breakup during Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Raiders.

Tavai (48 defensive snaps) saw a lot of action as the fourth linebacker behind Jarrad Davis (65), Devon Kennard (63) and Christian Jones (54). Especially after trading strong safety Quandre Diggs, the Lions should have plenty of snaps to give Tavai down the stretch, and his role could expand if injuries strike any of the players above him on the depth chart.

Tavai registered three tackles and a sack during Sunday's 27-27 tie with the Cardinals.

Tavai got the start at middle linebacker in the place of Jarrad Davis (ankle), but he made plenty of rookie mistakes along the way and didn't even approach the 6.3 tackles per game Davis averaged in the role last year. While it might be safer to prioritize the other starting linebackers as long as Davis remains sidelined, neither Devon Kennard or Christian Jones figure have the tackle upside of a 4-3 middle linebacker.

Tavai took reps with the first-team defense during the first day of training camp Thursday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Tavai worked alongside Jarrad Davis and Devon Kennard, presumably operating as an outside linebacker after seeing reps at middle linebacker in spring workouts. As long as Davis stays healthy, it's highly unlikely Tavai will ever shift over to MLB. However, it's worth keeping in mind that Detroit's offseason experimentation with him at that spot might mean Tavai will slide over to the inside if Davis is ever bitten by the injury bug.

Tavai (shoulder) is operating as a middle linebacker during the first week of OTAs, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Showing no signs of the pre-draft shoulder surgery he underwent this spring, Tavai has essentially been operating as the backup to Jarrad Davis off the bat -- instead of at one of the outside linebacker spots next to him. The Lions likely didn't spend a second-round pick on the Hawaii product without bigger plans, though, so it could only be a matter of time until Tavai earns a regular role with the first-teamers. Such a situation would likely come at the expense of Christian Jones and Jalen Reeves-Maybin rather than Devon Kennard, who's entering the second season of a lucrative three-year, $17.5 million pact that the former Giant signed last offseason.

The Lions selected Tavai in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 43rd overall.

The Hawaii product is a tackling machine who notched two seasons with at least 120 tackles and he would have reached that mark again in 2018 if not for an injury. Tavai's shoulder injury kept him from posting official workout numbers but it's clear the Lions are confident that it won't be an issue long term. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Tavai will be playing linebacker in a 4-3 scheme in Detroit, but it's unclear if he'll supplant Jarrad Davis in the middle or kick to an outside spot.