Let’s break down the Lions and Rams Wednesday injury reports. The Lions report is an estimate as they did not practice. Overall, the miniscule report from the Lions is an excellent start to the season.
DETROIT LIONS
FULL PRACTICE
No players listed
LIMITED PRACTICE
- Ifeatu Melifonwu ANKLE – Safety
The last time we saw him in game action was the first half of the second preseason game vs the Chiefs. I reviewed the tape and nothing jumped out. The most suspicious play was in the 1st quarter 3:13 on kickoff coverage where he came up with a slight limp appearing to favor an injured left leg. He didn’t miss a play and finished the entire half without obvious limitation so I can’t say for certain if this was the injury.
The limited designation is reassuring that the ankle is not serious or long-term.
- DJ Reader QUAD – DT
Recovering from a right quad tendon tear on December 16, 2023 as well as a knee scope in June, Reader was activated off the PUP list on August 25. This means he has only had a little over one week of practice, much of which may have just been individual drills.
Last week, Dan Campbell hinted that week one was unlikely but today he offered hope that Reader could play.
With such limited practice time coming off a significant injury, it seems unlikely the Lions would risk playing him. Personally, I would like to see the Lions rest him early in the season for a variety of reasons that I detailed in this article.
NO PRACTICE
- Loren Strickland THUMB – Safety
This undrafted rookie safety from Ball State was one of the surprises of the 53-man roster. He played 83% of snaps in the final preseason game vs the Steelers. With an NP designation as well as multiple healthy DB’s ahead of him on the depth chart, it seems unlikely Strickland will be active vs the Rams.
NOTABLES NOT LISTED
Lots of good news here as many key players suffering minor injuries in preseason appear to be ready for the opener.
- Jahmyr Gibbs HAMSTRING
Gibbs suffered a hamstring on August 12. For fantasy football purposes, I would not expect any limitations on his touches based on how the Lions have handled him in the past. In his first game back after missing two games with a hamstring last year, he had 11 rushes for 68 yards and nine receptions for 58 yards. Go ahead and start him.
- Terrion Arnold PEC
Reported as a bruise and not a strain, I expect no issues in his debut as a starting CB.
- Kevin Zeitler SHOULDER
He has been hampered by a shoulder since before the first preseason game and was limited earlier in the offseason with knee and ankle issues, so it is a good sign that he is not on the report.
- Penei Sewell ANKLE
Sewell gave us all a panic attack when he went down on the last day of training camp. Fortunately, our collective breathing returned to normal when it was revealed as just a minor ankle sprain.
- James Houston KNEE BONE BRUISE
Houston was able to play in the third preseason game after missing the second possibly due to a bone bruise. He had played the first preseason game with a right knee brace. The bone bruise is unlikely to be a significant limitation going forward.
- Ennis Rakestraw ANKLE
He hurt his ankle after the first preseason game but appears to be fine now.
- Dan Skipper HIGH ANKLE
Skipper appeared to improbably suffer bilateral high ankle sprains on the first play in the second preseason game. Fortunately, he does not have a third ankle as he probably would have sprained that also.
- Sam LaPorta HAMSTRING
He was hurt prior to the first preseason game and has been limited much of camp. No concerns here for this second-year TE phenom.
- Carlton Davis HAMSTRING
Davis seems to be recovered enough to start in the opener. Hopefully, the preseason injury is not a harbinger of things to come as he has never played more than 14 games in a regular season during his six-year career.
- Frank Ragnow TOE et al
Previous year’s injury reports have seen Ragnow and his toe permanently etched in stone on it, so it’s nice to see he is absent from this year’s inaugural report.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
FULL PRACTICE
- Jonah Jackson SHOULDER – OG (C?)
This former Lion had a bruised scapula earlier in camp which is an unusual injury. It won’t prevent his hopefully untriumphant return to Ford Field.
- Puka Nacua KNEE – WR
Nacua had right knee bursitis earlier in camp which won’t limit him at all on Sunday. Arnold might want to put some extra padding on his bruised pec.
LIMITED PRACTICE
- Rob Havenstein ANKLE – OT
With the other starting tackle Alaric Jackson already out with suspension, the Rams may be weakened along the offensive line. The door is open for Marcus Davenport, James Houston, and Josh Paschal to step up and through.
- Darious Williams HAMSTRING – DB
- Cobie Durant HAMSTRING – CB