Lions Monday Medical Update after the bye week

Lions Monday Medical Update after the bye week on the status of Frank Ragnow, Brian Branch, Derrick Barnes and more from the bye week

Good news and bad news came out of Dan Campbell’s press conference on the Monday after the bye.

GOOD NEWS: Regarding the status of Frank Ragnow and Brian Branch, “They were both out there practicing today. As of right now, they look good.”

BAD NEWS: Regarding Derrick Barnes potential return, “It’s tough to say right now. We will be fortunate to get him at any point this year.”

With this information, here is my updated analysis of these players’ injuries:

Frank Ragnow left pec strain

Ragnow hurt his pec two weeks ago on September 22 with an expected short-term recovery. With the news that Ragnow is already practicing, that’s further evidence that the pec strain was not severe and may not have even involved the tendon. Expect him to play vs the Cowboys.

Brian Branch concussion/illness

Branch’s concussion was two weeks ago on September 22. He had cleared the protocol and was set to play last Monday night, but an unspecified illness the day prior sidelined him. Just speculating here, but there may have been a concern that some of the illness symptoms were possible post-concussion symptoms so giving him a game off was a “better-safe-than-sorry” move.

His doubtful designation (vs out) for last Monday implied that the illness was nothing long-term, thus neither the concussion nor the illness was expected to keep him out for the next game. With Branch practicing today, that means there have been no setbacks and he should play vs the Cowboys.

Derrick Barnes right knee

Barnes injury was on September 22 and video suggested a possible MCL sprain or more. Campbell’s comments today are not optimistic but there is still a chance Barnes could be back this year. It’s not a complete ACL tear as there would be no talk of a return.