Detroit Lions Week 16 injury report: Estimated 4 OL limited or unable to practice on Tuesday

Examining the Detroit Lions Tuesday injury report as they prepare for a Saturday matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.

The Detroit Lions (5-9) have officially been eliminated from the 2020 playoffs, but they still have two games remaining on their schedule, both at home. First up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) in a Week 16 matchup that was flexed to Saturday, December 26, at 1:00 p.m. EST

Because it’s a Saturday game, the practice schedule gets moved up a day, meaning the team will release practice reports on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.

Unfortunately, the Lions reported two positive COVID-19 results this morning and needed to shut the facilities down, meaning today’s injury report was only an estimated guess from coaches.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ Tuesday injury report, with the updated changes from last week’s injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/COVID-19

No Practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice
Frank Ragnow Throat No Practice
Tyrell Crosby Ankle No Practice
Hal Vaitai Concussion No Practice
Jamie Collins Neck No Practice

Golladay estimated to have been unable to practice again today. Conversations surrounding shutting him down should be happening behind the scenes.

Ragnow is still unable to talk much, per Bevell, but he has another appointment with a specialist on Thursday when the team will get an update on his health and “that will tell us all the information that we need to know – how well he’s healed, and if he’s healed well enough to go out there and perform.”

Crosby enters his fourth week in a row of being unable to practice. Last week, he was replaced by Vaitai at right tackle, who suffered a concussion, pushing Matt Nelson back into the starting lineup again. Recently signed Dan Skipper will continue to be an emergency option.

On a short week, and with practice not an option today, Vaitai may have trouble passing through the league’s concussion protocols. If the building is shut down tomorrow, and he is not able to get in a limited practice, he will not be available on Saturday.

Collins’ injury is a new one, and he didn’t noticeably miss time last Sunday, so it’s unclear the severity of this issue.

Limited practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Matthew Stafford Rib/Right Thumb Limited Practice
Taylor Decker Groin Limited Practice
Mike Ford Foot Limited Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip Limited Practice

“He was sore, obviously coming out of the game,” interim coach Darrell Bevell said of Stafford. “He did take a couple hits in that game that we talked about yesterday. Again, he’s tough as they come. He’s tough as nails. So we’ll basically do the same plan. I think he may be a little bit better than he was last week, but again, we’ll just continue to take it day-to-day.”

Decker’s injury is new, and he did not miss a snap in last week’s game, so an expected limited practice is an encouraging sign he will be available on Saturday.

Ford injured his foot during the game but was able to return to action. This looks like early week rest for the Lions’ third option at corner.

The reason Ford is the third option at corner is that Roberts was unable to play this last game. If he is able to find his way back on the field this week, he could push Ford into a more comfortable fourth corner role in the secondary.

Full Practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

There are no players listed in this section at this time.

Bucs’ Report