The Detroit Lions (5-10) and their Week 17 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings (6-9), have both officially been eliminated from the 2020 playoffs, but pride is still on the line in the 2020 season finale.
Here’s a look at the Lions’ Wednesday injury report, with the updated changes from last week’s injury status listed in bold.
Injured reserve
- DT Danny Shelton (IR) began practicing last week
- EDGE Trey Flowers (IR) is eligible to return at anytime
- CB Desmond Trufant (IR) is eligible to return at anytime
No Practice
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Matthew Stafford | Right thumb, ribs, ankle | No Practice | ||
| Kenny Golladay | Hip | No Practice | ||
| Joe Dahl | Back | No Practice | ||
| Jamie Collins | Neck | No Practice |
“With Matthew (Stafford),” interim coach Darrell Bevell said at his Wednesday press conference, “I think the best thing for him is that he’s got the best feel and read for his body. So, we’ll continue to progress like we normally do with him. Some of the other injuries are resolving, so we’ll see how this injury on his ankle resolves as well by the end of the week.”
Bevell confirms that if Stafford can't play, Chase Daniel will start in Week 17, as expected
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 30, 2020
Golladay continues to work to get back, but he’s still unable to practice. The questions surrounding Golladay heading to injured reserve are being asked more frequently, with no real solid answers to be found.
Dahl exited last week’s game at halftime and not being able to practice today is not an encouraging sign for his availability this weekend. He had started the last two weeks at center, but Frank Ragnow sounds like he is trending in the right direction, which would put Dahl back in a reserve role if he is able to play.
Collins missed all of last week’s practices and was given a questionable designation, but was unable to play and was deemed inactive. Another missed practice is not ideal, but if the Lions thought he may have a chance to play last week, there’s a chance he’s in the same boat again.
Limited practice
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Frank Ragnow | Throat | Limited Practice | ||
| Tyrell Crosby | Ankle | Limited Practice |
“Yes, he is speaking,” Bevell said of Ragnow. “Really, what I’m asking him to do is, I don’t want him to overextend it or anything during the week. So, the communication will be minimal. I mean he’s talking and all that, but I don’t want him barking out any calls or signals that way, just so that we can continue to let it heal as much as it can all the way to Sunday. I think that’s kind of the prudent thing to do. He’s on board with that.”
Crosby returns to practice for the first time in three weeks and if he is able to get himself ready for the finale, he should jump right back into his starting role at right tackle. If that happens, it will be interesting to see if coaches push prized free agent Hal Vaitai in at right guard, or stick with Oday Aboushi, who has quietly been very steady — and quite frankly, playing better than Vaitai.
Full Practice
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
There are no players listed in this section at this time.
Vikings’ Report
Minnesota starting running back Dalvin Cook will miss this weekend’s game as he is heading home to be with his family after the unexpected passing of his father James on Tuesday.
Additionally, Vikings left tackle Riley Reiff has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and his status for this game is very much in question.
The Vikings injury report will be added when it becomes available.