The Detroit Lions are coming off a tough division win over the Minnesota Vikings and coaches are starting the week slowly, allowing players to rest more at the start of the week. As a result, the Lions held a walkthrough on Wednesday, so all attendance levels in this report are coaches’ estimates based on how much they think players could have trained if it were of a standard workout.
“We just felt like it was a good time to ride the bikes this week,” coach Dan Campbell said during his Wednesday press conference. “We kind of, we did things a certain way for a number of weeks, and it was time to change it, and so that’s really all it had to do. It was more than where we were when, but I already had this in my head, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ For the most part, we spoke to (Lions Director of Athletic Performance) Mike Clark, who handles a lot of this for us. And we thought it was a good time to step back on Wednesday, really go back and just hit the mental, and then we’ll come back. It’s going to be a little longer tomorrow, and really push the intensity.
Let’s take a look at the team’s initial injury report as they prepare to face the New York Jets in week 15.
Reserve list
- WR Trinity Benson (knee, IR): Eligible to return at any time (Last update)
- OL Tommy Kraemer (back, IR): eligible to return at any time (Last update)
- EDGE Charles Harris (groin, IR): eligible for return in week 17 (Last update)
- EDGE Julian Okwara (elbow, IR): eligible to return in week 17 (Last update)
- NB Chase Lucas (hamstring, IR): Eligible to return in week 18 (Last update)
- DB Bobby Price (knee, IR): eligible for return at any time (Last update)
21-day evaluation clock
Cephus and Reynolds continue to make progress in the review process, but there have been no updates on their progress at this time. If they return this week, expect the news to break on Saturday.
No training on Wednesday
- G Kayode Awosika (ankle)
- LB Derrick Barnes (knee)
Awosika and Barnes both played without obvious problems against the Jaguars but showed up on last week’s injury report unable to train and missed last weekend’s game against the Vikings. Awosika was replaced by Logan Stenberg at right guard, while Barnes’ snaps were spread to Malcolm Rodriguez, Chris Board and Jarrad Davis (who was a practice squad elevation).
Limited practice
- FB Jason Cabinda (ankle) — NEW INJURY
- RG Evan Brown (ankle)
- LT Taylor Decker (ankle) — NEW INJURY
- C Frank Ragnow (foot) — DOWNGRADE since last week
- DB Will Harris (hip) — UPGRADE from last week
- S CJ Moore (shoulder) — NEW INJURY
Brown was limited all last week and couldn’t play against the Vikings, a limited start to the week is good news, but as this is a walkthrough it’s unclear s ‘He’ll make enough progress to return to his starting right guard role just yet.
Ragnow continues to have a light start to the week as part of an injury management system, and last week we saw Decker take the same precautionary measures. It’s slightly concerning that Decker has a new injury – he hurt his elbow last week, his ankle this week – so it’s worth keeping an eye on that situation.
Cabinda was wound up in last Sunday’s game, and while it didn’t seem to affect him during the game, it’s likely he suffered some residual pain and is late to start the week. Difficult to know much more at this stage.
Harris injured his hip in practice last Thursday, was unable to practice Friday and missed the game. A limited return to training is encouraging, but bear in mind that this was an estimated level of participation and he probably didn’t push himself too hard to test his abilities.
Moore was a key contributor against the Vikings, converting a fake punt and recovering a fumble on the final play of the game. He had his shoulder wrapped in the locker room after the game, but was in good spirits and not favoring it. Hopefully this is a precautionary rest, and we’ll know more as the week goes on.
Complete practice
No longer listed with an injury
- QB Nate Sudfeld (illness)
- WR Kalif Raymond (illness)
- RB D’Andre Swift (ankle)
- RB Jamaal Williams (hand)
- CB Jeff Okudah (illness)
- S DeShon Elliott (ankle)
All players in this section no longer carry an injury designation and have returned to full training.
Jets injury report
Here’s a look at the Jets’ initial injury report:
Keep an eye out for All-Pro Quinnen Williams, who didn’t practice Wednesday, and quarterback Mike White, who was limited. If either is unable to play, it would be a massive break for the Lions.