The Lions final injury report is in as the team embarks on a journey that will hopefully end with a Mardi Gras-level celebration in New Orleans for the Super Bowl.
Health will be a key determinant of how this season goes and for game one, the Lions are in great shape. Comparatively, the Rams have a few more concerns which may have shifted the betting line during the week.
DETROIT LIONS (-4.5, opened -3)
Excellent report overall. The only anticipated starter that is limited or out is DJ Reader.
QUESTIONABLE
DJ Reader Limited practice, QUAD – DT
Medical history: Quad tendon tear December 16, 2023
In his Friday presser, Campbell said that Reader looks good and stated if he plays, it will be on a limited snap count. I don’t expect him to play but if he does, don’t expect much impact with only two weeks of practice coming off a major injury.
DOUBTFUL
Ifeatu Melifonwu Limited practice, ANKLE – Safety
Medical history: Likely mild ankle sprain August 17
Doubtful designation basically means OUT. With three healthy safeties (Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Brandon Joseph) including both starters, Melifonwu’s absence shouldn’t have a significant effect.
OUT
Loren Strickland No practice, THUMB – Safety
This undrafted rookie from Ball State was one of the surprises of the 53-man roster. Strickland will not play and with multiple healthy safeties ahead of him on the depth chart, he may not have been active anyway.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
The secondary and offensive line are dealing with multiple issues causing juggling of the line-ups. Can the Lions take advantage?
Jonah Jackson Full practice, SHOULDER – OG/C
This former Lion had a bruised scapula earlier in camp. Reportedly he is moving to center for this game due to shuffling of the offensive line following OT Alaric Jackson’s suspension.
Puka Nacua Full practice, KNEE – WR
Nacua had right knee bursitis earlier in camp but I don’t expect any limitations for the game.
Cobie Durant Full practice, HAMSTRING – CB
This backup CB plays in place of Darious Williams who is OUT.
Tre’Davious White No practice, REST – CB
QUESTIONABLE Rob Havenstein Limited practice, ANKLE – OT
This starting OT may be hampered even if he plays which could be a problem with the other starting OT Alaric Jackson already out due to suspension.
I.R.
Darious Williams HAMSTRING – CB
The Rams starting CB was placed on IR and is out for at least four weeks.
TRADE – LB Earnest Jones
This starting LB was traded a week ago and weakens the middle of the field.
FANTASY FOOTBALL EFFECT
-Expect no limitations for Jahmyr Gibbs. Earlier this week, he reported feeling “98-100%”. Last year after missing two games with a similar mild hamstring strain, he returned with 11 rushes for 68 yards and nine receptions for 58 yards vs the Ravens.
In the playoff game vs the Rams, Gibbs had eight rushes for 25 yards and four receptions for 43 yards.
-The trade of Earnest Jones last week may help Gibbs and David Montgomery’s production.
-The Rams are weakened at the OT position with Alaric Jackson out with suspension and Rob Havenstein limited by a hamstring. Jonah Jackson is likely moving to center which is not his normal position.
All these factors may result in a quick-pass game plan by the Rams with more passes to RB’s (Kyren Williams, Blake Corum) and TE’s (Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen), and fewer downfield shots to WR’s (Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua).
-The juggled Rams offensive line paired with the deafening crowd noise may allow the Lions defense to pick up more sacks and turnovers.
-Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, and Sam LaPorta may take advantage of an injured Rams secondary which has starter Darious Williams out and backup Cobie Durant recovering from a hamstring.
Last year vs the Rams, St. Brown caught seven passes for 110 yards and Williams had two for 19 yards. LaPorta had three catches for 14 yards but had just suffered a scary knee hyperextension the week before. Raymond missed the game due to a suspected right knee PCL sprain.