The offense and defense are looking pretty healthy for the Detroit Lions as the team enters the Week 4 matchup with the visiting Cleveland Browns. Special teams, on the other hand, are about to face the visitors from the south coast of Lake Erie without three key pieces.

Detroit will pay without Daniel Thomas, Zach Cunningham and Sione Vaki on Sunday. Thomas and Cunningham have each played 50 total special teams reps through the first three weeks, tied for third on the Lions behind Grant Stuard and Pat O’Connor. Vaki, who missed the first two games with a separate injury, was on the field for all punt and kick reps in the Week 3 win over Baltimore before leaving Monday night’s game with a groin injury. While listed at running back, Vaki plays almost exclusively on special teams since joining Detroit as a fourth-round pick in 2024.

There are a couple of Lions with considerable special teams experience who can step up. Running back Craig Reynolds, who was a healthy scratch in Week 3, has years of experience on punt and kick coverage units and can also return kicks in a pinch. Tight end Ross Dwelley, signed to the active roster this week, is known more for his special teams play than his offensive skills. Linebacker Trevor Nowaske is capable of inheriting some of Cunningham’s work on both special teams and as a reserve backer on defense. Longtime Lions WR Tom Kennedy, who can also return kicks as well as work on coverage units, is a good candidate for elevation from Detroit’s practice squad to face Cleveland. Second-year safety Loren Strickland could also be a practice squad elevation option to help special teams.

Even so, it’s still a tough break for coordinator Dave Fipp and his units, which have not been as sharp throughout 2025 as they were in recent years.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions will face Browns without 3 key special teams players for Detroit