The Detroit Lions (4-5) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Carolina Panthers (3-7) and they will be without offensive starters D’Andre Swift (running back), Kenny Golladay (wide receiver), and Danny Amendola (slot receiver).
Here’s a look at the Lions’ full injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.
Injured reserve
- TE Hunter Bryant (IR) has begun practicing
- JACK Julian Okwara (IR) is eligible to return at any time
- EDGE Trey Flowers (IR) is eligible to return after Week 11
- CB Darryl Roberts (IR) is eligible to return after Week 11
Ruled OUT
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Designation |
| D’Andre Swift | Concussion | Not listed | No Practice | No Practice | OUT |
| Kenny Golladay | Hip | Limited Practice | No Practice | No Practice | OUT |
| Danny Amendola | Hip | No Practice | No Practice | No Practice | OUT |
Coach Matt Patricia gave no clear answers surrounding Swift’s mid-week injury at his Friday press conference, but based on the league’s concussion rules, it was pretty clear Swift was not going to be able to clear the protocols required to play this week. Running backs coach Kyle Caskey said that Adrian Peterson will get the start on Sunday, and Kerryon Johnson will fill the Swift role “as much as possible”. Jonathan Williams should see his first action of the season as a third option.
Golladay got some practice time in on Wednesday, and even tested himself on Thursday, but the Lions are taking it slow with him, likely hoping to get him back for Thanksgiving. Losing Golladay makes things challenging for the wide receiver group, but also losing Amendola makes things even harder.
With Marvin Jones the only starting wide receiver available, Marvin Hall, Quinte Cephus, and Jamal Agnew will all see their snaps increase regardless of who technically starts. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Mohamad Sanu elevated from the practice squad to give the group depth.
Questionable
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Designation |
| Matthew Stafford | Thumb | No Practice | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Questionable |
| Hal Vaitai | Foot | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Questionable |
| Da’Shawn Hand | Groin | Not Listed | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Questionable |
| Austin Bryant | Thigh | No Practice | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Questionable |
| Jarrad Davis | Knee | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Questionable |
| Will Harris | Groin | Not Listed | Not Listed | Limited Practice | Questionable |
Stafford missed practice on Wednesday, got in two limited practices on Thursday and Friday, was able to escape without any setbacks, and despite being listed as questionable, is expected to start on Sunday.
On the Matthew Stafford front, Lions QBs coach Sean Ryan said he does not consider Stafford limited by his thumb injury and there's nothing that he needs to see Stafford do still that he was not able to do in practice this week.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) November 20, 2020
Vaitai missed last week after re-injuring his foot the week prior, and while a week of limited practices is encouraging, the fact he did not get in a full practice leaves the doubt door open.
Davis, like Vaitai, is coming off a missed game, and while limited is good, there are still some concerns.
Hand, Bryant, and Harris all suffered mid-week injuries so they are likely headed to a Saturday evaluation before the team travels. If they’re not downgraded then, expect them to be available on Sunday.
No Injury Designation
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Designation |
| Marvin Jones | Knee | No Practice | Limited Practice | Full Practice | No Designation |
| Jamal Agnew | Ribs | Full Practice | Full Practice | Full Practice | No Designation |
| T.J. Hockenson | Toe | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Full Practice | No Designation |
| Nick Williams | Shoulder | Limited Practice | Full Practice | Full Practice | No Designation |
| Christian Jones | Knee | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | No Designation |
| Jayron Kearse | Ankle | Not Listed | Limited Practice | Full Practice | No Designation |
Marvin Jones, Hockenson, and Kearse were all upgraded to full practices on Friday and do not carry an injury designation into this game.