The Detroit Lions (5-9) have declared their injury designations for their Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5).
Despite the close contact exposures to the COVID-19 virus keeping several coaches away from Allen Park, the players remain available to practice and they were back out on the field again today.
Lions players took the field with a new coaching staff structure, led by wide receivers coach Robert Prince, who will be temporarily taking over interim coaching duties from Darrell Bevell, who has not yet been cleared.
Here’s a look at the Lions’ Thursday injury report, with the updated changes from yesterday’s injury status listed in bold.
Ruled OUT
Player | Injury | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
Kenny Golladay | Hip | No Practice | No Practice | No Practice |
Tyrell Crosby | Ankle | No Practice | No Practice | No Practice |
No real surprises here as Golladay and Crosby continue to miss games. Golladay has been out since Week 9, while Crosby has missed the last two and a half games due to injuries.
With only one game left in the season after this week, it’s possible one or both of them get placed on injured reserve so that the Lions could add depth to the 53-man roster.
Questionable
Player | Injury | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
Matthew Stafford | Rib/Right Thumb | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Limited Practice |
Frank Ragnow | Throat | No Practice | No Practice | Limited Practice |
Taylor Decker | Groin | Limited Practice | No Practice | Limited Practice |
Hal Vaitai | Concussion | No Practice | Limited Practice | Full Practice |
Jamie Collins | Neck | No Practice | No Practice | No Practice |
Darryl Roberts | Hip | Limited Practice | Limited Practice | Full Practice |
Jayron Kearse | Hip | Not Listed | Not Listed | Limited Practice |
Matt Prater | Back | Not Listed | No Practice | Limited Practice |
Stafford is ahead of where he was last week at this time and he looks good to play this week. His availability will make new offensive play-caller Sean Ryan’s (QB coach) job a bit easier this week.
Ragnow was scheduled to see a specialist today, and while we have not received any word on the results of that exam, the fact that he was listed as limited could be a good sign.
With Crosby out, the Lions will be hoping Decker and Vaitai will be available to man the offensive tackle positions for this game. Decker getting back to a limited practice is encouraging, while Vaitai still needs to be medically cleared by an independent doctor — he has cleared the on-field concussion protocols.
Collins not practicing all week is concerning, but the questionable tag leaves the door open. This could very well be extra rest for a banged-up veteran on a short week.
Roberts getting in a nice week of practice is a good sign he could return to the starting lineup opposite Amani Oruwariye and Justin Coleman.
Kearse is a new addition to the injury report today which is cause for concern, as most late week injuries limit players on game day. If he is not ready to go, expect the Lions to turn back to Tracy Walker in the starting lineup.
Prater was back at practice today, and with no other placekicker on the roster, the tea leaves say he will most likely be ready to play.
No injury designation
Player | Injury | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
Julian Okwara | Knee | On Injured Reserve | Full Practice | Full Practice |
Mike Ford | Foot | Limited Practice | Full Practice | Full Practice |
Okwara was just added to the active roster this week and his two full practices, along with no designation, is a terrific sign for his availability this week.
Ford looks ready to return to his fourth cornerback role, while also offering insurance against Roberts being limited.
Injured reserve/COVID-19
- DT Danny Shelton (IR) has begun practicing
- EDGE Trey Flowers (IR) is eligible to return at anytime
- CB Desmond Trufant (IR) is eligible to return at anytime
- Note: DL Da’Shawn Hand has been placed on season-ending IR
- Note: JACK Julian Okwara has been activated from IR
- Note: EDGE Everson Griffen has been activated from COVID-19