Despite Injury, Romeo Okwara Is Still Aiding Detroit Lions' Defense
Romeo Okwara’s time on the field this season may be done, but his work is far from over.
Since suffering a season-ending Achilles' injury in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, Okwara’s role has shifted. It started with a conversation at halftime of the Bears game, after Okwara had suffered the injury.
“We talked at halftime,” said Detroit Lions outside linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard. “We talked him through it. Then, on Thursday, his freaking surgery day, he’s texting me, ‘I’m on my way back to Detroit, I’m gonna come see you.’ I’m like, ‘What? Go home and lay down.’”
Those conversations have extended to Okwara looking for ways to help those at his position, as he rehabs the injury. Sheppard, who was a teammate of Okwara's with both the New York Giants and the Lions, said Okwara is still committed to the team despite being out.
Okwara’s season finished with six tackles, two quarterback hits and one sack.
“That guy is all in,” Sheppard said. “He’s texting me things in the game that he might see, how can he help still from home, from the training room. The talented outside linebacker told Sheppard, ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m here for you and the guys.'"
Sheppard also said he’s confident Okwara can return to form once healthy.
“I’m almost thinking my confidence in that guy is gonna be better than what you saw in these first couple games this year,” Sheppard said.
Charles Harris is ‘a man on a mission’
Formerly a first-round pick, Harris has settled in nicely to his new role with the Lions. The Missouri product spent the first three seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins and then last year with the Atlanta Falcons, before signing with Detroit.
With the injury to Okwara, he has stepped up big for a Lions defense that desperately needed his presence.
Harris has played in five games with the Lions, starting three at outside linebacker. He’s had a sack in four straight games, already setting a new career-high mark in that category. He’s currently on pace to shatter his career-bests in almost every measurable category.
“A lot of things go into this,” Sheppard said. “There’s a lot of dynamics. But, the number one thing since training camp, since Charles Harris walked through this door, he’s been a man on a mission. And, it was clear to everyone on this entire staff that he was out to prove something to the entire league.”
Harris was picked No. 22 overall by the Dolphins in 2017, but never found his footing. In 41 games with the Dolphins, he had 3.5 sacks and 61 total tackles. After spending 2020 with the Falcons, he signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Lions.
Through the first five weeks of the season, Harris has compiled 12 tackles and four sacks.
Sheppard believes that part of the reason Harris didn’t have as much success in previous stops was because of scheme fit. He believes that the Lions are employing a system that fits Harris’ skill set better.
“I think he’s fit to be a true outside linebacker, EDGE player,” Sheppard said. “You’ve seen guys previously play on the inside, five technique, even in some systems all the way down to the four-I, and that’s not what he’s built to do. In my opinion, and this is my opinion, everybody’s different, but to play on the edge. He’s a very physical, very quick, twitchy player. So, he gets off blocks well.”
Harris said he’s growing comfortable with the scheme and how he’s been used. He’s been pleased with how he’s progressed through the season.
“Personally, just playing fast and being accountable to my teammates,” Harris said. “I think, getting my team the best opportunity to win, that’s the most satisfying part for myself. Being able to come up with big plays at critical times and having a chance for us to just win is just the best thing.”
© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
