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The ongoing pandemic has taken a toll on every NFL team over the past two years. The Lions are the most recent team that has been hit hard by the virus, as Detroit has placed seven players on their reserve/COVID-19 list over the past week. The Lions will be without each of those players for Sunday's road game against the Broncos, and will be without nearly 20% of their 53-man roster. They had 12 other players and six coaches who battled the flu, according to ESPN, and added seven players from their practice squad.

On Saturday, Detroit placed cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Mark Gilbert on its reserve/COVID-19 list. They also placed linebacker Tavante Beckett on their practice squad COVID-IR. Earlier this week, the Lions placed center Evan Brown, cornerback Bobby Price, safety Tracy Walker and running back Jamaal Williams on their reserve/COVID-19 list. 

The Lions will also be without outside linebacker Julian Okwara (ankle), linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) and running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder). Tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) was doubtful to play, while the Lions had a dozen players who were questionable to play in Sunday's game. 

It's been a trying season for the Lions under first-year head coach Dan Campbell. But after losing their first eight games, Campbell's team has responded by going 1-2-1 in their last four games. Last Sunday, the Lions recorded their first win of the season by virtue of a 29-27 win over the Vikings. Jared Goff threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while the Lions' defense sacked Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins three times while holding Minnesota to 3 of 14 on third and fourth down plays. 

The Broncos enter Sunday's game with a 6-6 record and are vying to earn one of the wild-card spots in the AFC playoffs. Denver has been led by a defense that is currently third in the NFL in fewest points allowed.