Three more Lions defenders will almost certainly land on IR after the Bills game – Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis, and Khalil Dorsey. Unfortunately, all of them are long-term injuries with Davis being the only one with a chance to come back this season.
David Montgomery also sustained a more-serious-than-expected knee injury (MCL) that will require surgery and put him out for the year.
At some point (maybe now), the Lions will need to calculate if they have enough IR-return slots remaining, and if they should carry short-term injuries on the active roster instead of putting them on IR. I explain more at the end of this article.
Returning soon
- Alex Anzalone, left forearm fracture – Expect his 21-day practice window to open this week with a possible return to play in week 17 vs the 49ers or week 18 vs the Vikings.
- Ifeatu Melifonwu, left finger – Today (Monday), Dan Campbell stated that his 21-day practice window would open this week. This means he could play this Sunday vs the Bears.
- Kalif Raymond, left foot – Expected by the start of the playoffs. His 21-day practice window should open after this week’s Bears game.
Early playoffs at best
- Ennis Rakestraw, hamstring – Eligible to return this week vs the Bears. Dan Campbell on Monday implied that his 21-day practice window would not open this week. This suggests he is at least three more weeks away.
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin, neck – Eligible to return anytime but has not had his 21-day practice window opened yet. This implies he is at least 3 weeks away. At this point, his earliest projected return would be in the playoffs. Dan Campbell on December 9 corroborated a multi-week timeline stating he’s “better… There’s a chance we could get him in a few weeks.” While there are no details about his neck injury, this update is reassuring that it isn’t anything overly serious. He is signed through the 2025 season.
Late playoffs at best
- Carlton Davis, jaw fracture – Initial estimated recovery of six weeks would put him at the NFC championship game. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
- Aidan Hutchinson, left tib/fib fracture – Expecting very limited action in the Super Bowl although Jay Glazer reported that the NFC championship game is a possibility. Hutchinson has significant expected atrophy in his legs so it all depends on how quickly rehab goes. In 3rd year of 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.
- John Cominsky, MCL surgery – Initial estimate projected a January return at best. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
- Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unlikely to be back. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
Not expected to return
- David Montgomery, right MCL surgery – No details yet but hopefully he will be fully recovered for the start of next season.
- Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
- Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
- Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
- Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
- Kyle Peko, left pec – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
- Mekhi Wingo, right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.
NFL IR RETURN RULES AND STRATEGY
Lions can return as may IR players as they want in the playoffs as long as it doesn’t add up to more than 10 for the entire year (regular season 8 + playoffs 2). So far, the Lions have returned four – Brodric Martin, Emmanuel Moseley, Ifeatu Melifonwu twice.
Expect Anzalone and Raymond to take two spots and Hutchinson to have a spot reserved for him just in case. This leaves just three returns left with four defenders (Rakestraw, Davis, Reeves-Maybin, Cominsky) being the likely options.
If the Lions feel that all four defenders can return, then it is possible that an offensive player like Raymond could be sacrificed to help the defense. Or the Lions could avoid that decision entirely by not putting Davis on IR and carrying him on the active roster. He would just be one of the seven inactives on gameday every week.
There are still three games left in the season so more injuries are possible, and more short-term injured players may need to be carried on the roster.