Lions postgame medical report following the second meeting with the Bears

Lions postgame medical report following the Week 16 meeting with the Bears is mercifully shorter than most weeks

On Sunday, Santa delivered an early Christmas present to OnePride nation in the form of a healthy game and an Eagles loss. Unfortunately, the Grinch stole away the Seahawks potential win over the Vikings. Regardless, the Lions are in better shape for the #1 seed today with the Eagles mostly out of the way.

I didn’t see any injuries, or even any potential injuries, during the Bears game so this will be a very positive post. Before I get to the Lions good news, here’s an update on the Bears LT Braxton Jones who was carted off in a vacuum splint.

Braxton Jones – left leg fracture

Video was concerning for a tibia/fibula fracture similar to Aidan Hutchinson and Khalil Dorsey, or a severe high ankle sprain with fibula fracture similar to James Houston.

Early reports by @RapSheet suggest only a fibula fracture, and he should be ready for next season.

Christian Mahogany

This 6th-round rookie missed all of training camp and the first half of the season due to mono. There were questions whether he would be physically and mentally ready to contribute this season. Those questions were laid to rest as he made a brief, 3-snap appearance two weeks ago and then started his first NFL game at LG yesterday. He played 100% of snaps, performed well, and has already outpaced expectations for this year.

With the health status of Graham Glasgow (knee) currently in question, Mahogany’s emergence is already paying dividends this year. With Kevin Zeitler an unrestricted free agent this offseason, dividends likely will be paid next year as well. Having a late-round rookie contract starting on the offensive line would help out the Lions salary cap significantly.

Mahogany was wearing a right knee brace throughout the game yesterday. He wore the same brace two weeks ago in his brief stint, so the brace may be precautionary. He has a history of a right knee ACL tear in 2022.

Ifeatu Melifonwu

Melifonwu had missed all of this year with ankle and hand injuries. He made his first appearance this year logging 80% of snaps and registering a sack. Multiple times he was sent on blitzes, and his productiveness in that role will be a key factor for the Lions going forward given their depleted defensive line.

Brian Branch

Branch entered the game questionable with a calf. This is presumably a calf strain which can easily get aggravated. He played 100% of defensive snaps without obvious aggravation which is great news going forward.

Here is video from the previous game vs the Bills.

Josh Paschal

Paschal is still wearing a right knee brace after hurting that knee in the first meeting vs the Bears three weeks ago. He looked fine throughout the game playing 70% of snaps which is in his normal range.

Here is the video of his knee injury from three weeks ago:

Emmanuel Moseley

Recovered from an August pec rupture, Moseley logged 14 special teams snaps vs the Bears in his second appearance of the season. In his only other appearance, he had 15 special teams snaps vs the Colts a few weeks ago. He has yet to play a defensive snap this year.

The Lions secondary stayed healthy throughout the Bears game so there may simply have been no snaps available for backups. Kindle Vildor, who has been the primary CB backup, also had no defensive snaps.

Moseley still may see an important role in the secondary this season with Carlton Davis (jaw fracture) and Khalil Dorsey (ankle fracture) out.