I’m currently in Houston where it is warm (good) and very humid (bad). As a person who doesn’t like the feeling of having to take a shower every five minutes, I’m looking forward to watching the Lions in the air-conditioned comfort of the Texans indoor stadium. Technically, the roof is retractable so there is a chance it is opened to the night air, but it has only been open for one game since the 2021 season.
I’m also looking forward to seeing the fresh energy of multiple key Lions who got some non-injury-related time off – Brian Branch (ejection), Josh Paschal (shoulder mass excision), and Jameson Williams (suspension).
The Lions got a surprise downgrade this week with Taylor Decker who is out. The Lions haven’t played a backup OT yet this year (except for garbage time), so this could impact the game significantly. The rest of the Lions active starting roster on both sides of the ball is intact.
The Texans will be missing a star player on defense (Will Anderson), and likely their #1 WR on offense (Nico Collins). While Collins’ status is technically up-in-the-air, I have multiple reasons listed below why I suspect he won’t play.
The Texans #2 WR, Stefan Diggs is already out with an ACL. Thus, the Texans may be without their top three WR’s as there was a surprise downgrade during the week to #3 WR Tank Dell.
DETROIT LIONS
Taylor Decker OT (UL LP NP – Out) shoulder
Decker presumably hurt his shoulder in practice this week. Dan Campbell stated it’s probably not “something major” which is reassuring. Decker has a history of shoulder surgery in 2017 and it’s unknown if the current injury is related.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB (NP NP NP – Out) neck
The 3x NP is a bit concerning after being injured last game. It’s reassuring that he returned to the game late for the onside kick which suggests there were no signs of a spinal issue. Whether he is put on IR this weekend will tell us a lot.
Malcolm Rodriguez LB (NP NP NP – Out) ankle
Rodriguez suffered a scary-looking left ankle sprain early in the Titans game and missed the last game. There was optimism he might be available this weekend but that won’t happen. With 3x NP this week, next game vs the Jaguars is also in doubt.
Za’Darius Smith DE (NP NP FP – Questionable) personal
Smith got two days off to acclimate to his trade from the Browns. He hasn’t had a bye yet and the Lions did, so the Lions may give him a game off at some point. That game might be this Sunday.
Josh Paschal DE (FP FP FP – In) illness
Paschal is ready to go after missing two games for a benign shoulder mass excision.
Emmanuel Moseley CB (FP FP FP – Out) pec
Moseley’s tore his pec in August and has been out all year. His 21-day practice window opened November 6 which keeps him tracking along the 16-week timeline of CJ Gardner-Johnson’s pec tear of last year. Expect Moseley to be available around Thanksgiving.
Ifeatu Melifonwu S (FP FP FP – Out) ankle
Melifonwu has been out since the middle of preseason with a suspected Achilles issue. His 21-day practice window opened on November 6 which is a good sign that he’ll be available later this month.
Sione Vaki RB (FP FP FP – In) knee
Vaki hurt his knee late in the Titans game and missed the last game. Good news that it was minor.
Mekhi Wingo DT (FP FP FP – In) ankle
Wingo hurt his ankle presumably in practice last week and missed the last game. He is a valuable backup at the DT position.
Brodric Martin DT (FP FP FP – Out) knee
Martin is in his 2nd week of his 21-day practice window. Expect him to be moved to the active roster around November 20.
NOTABLES
Jameson Williams returns from his two game suspension.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Nico Collins WR (NP NP LP – Questionable) hamstring
The Texans top WR logically will be out for multiple reasons:
1)Hamstrings benefit from gradual ramp-up to prevent aggravation and a single LP is as steep a ramp as you can have.
2)He’s already missed four weeks to this injury so if he was going to try to play this Sunday, he would have started practicing on Wednesday. It’s not like those two extra rest days is making a significant difference in recovery for a game this weekend.
Tank Dell WR (UL UL LP – Questionable) back
If Dell can’t go, that would mean the Texans might be without their top 3 receivers on the year.
Will Anderson DE (NP NP NP – Out) ankle
On video, this star pass-rusher appeared to suffer a left high ankle sprain last game. Even mild high ankles can take a while to recover from, especially at the DE position (see Micah Parsons). Anderson leads the team with 7.5 sacks on the year so this is a big loss.
Derek Barnett DE (NP LP FP – In) calf/shoulder
Barnett is a part-timer at DE and has 2 sacks on the year. He likely will have a larger role with Anderson out.
NOTABLES
Stefan Diggs, the Texans 2nd-leading WR, is out for the year with a right ACL.
Mario Edwards, starting DT, is serving a suspension and is out for this game.
Kenyon Green, starting LG, is out for the year and was replaced by Kendrick Green last game.
Here is the full Texans report:
