The Lions head into the playoffs as the #1 seed with a 15-2 record. It’s an impressive feat. It’s even more impressive considering the absurd number of defensive injuries the team has had to overcome.
I’ve compiled a video retrospective (if available) of the most significant injuries to the defense. The list is ranked starting with the injuries most impactful to the season.
In parentheses are the number of full games missed during the regular season. Also noted are those players who are currently available.
Aidan Hutchinson, DE (12 full games missed)
Left tibia/fibula fracture, October 13
Aidan Hutchinson tib/fib fracture injury video
-Leg whip mechanism
-Despite gruesome nature, early reports/prognosis are good. Not open fracture. Presume no nerve/vascular damage.
-Good chance of full recovery in 6-9mo. Should be back in plenty of time for start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/nzXJRiY3b1— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
Marcus Davenport, DE (15)
Groin, September 8
Left elbow, September 22
Marcus Davenport L elbow injury video
-Forearm chopped down while elbow in flexion. Possible elbow flexor tear (biceps or brachialis).
-Returned with brace but after game placed on IR. Reportedly it’s a season-ender pic.twitter.com/JGWIyTLzHN— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Alex Anzalone, LB (7) – available
Concussion, September 15
Alex Anzalone concussion video. Brutal helmet shot into right jaw. pic.twitter.com/exl3YHsQjf
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 15, 2024
Left forearm fracture, November 17
Alex Anzalone L forearm fracture injury video
-Slomo zoom looks like midshaft
-Dan Campbell says 6-8wks. MNF vs 49ers 6wks away.
-Possibly could be back sooner but no reason to rush with playoffs 8-9wks away
-Fully healed for playoffs, no long-term concerns pic.twitter.com/mRS0iVZtgp— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 18, 2024
Derrick Barnes, LB (14)
Right knee MCL/PCL, September 22
Derrick Barnes R knee injury video
-Direct impact to knee, fortunately foot not planted
-Looks like lateral side hit which could cause MCL sprain.
-Placed on IR. If non-severe MCL, could be back in 4-6wks. pic.twitter.com/WKYGHwaKbM— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
John Cominsky, DE (17)
MCL, July 30
Alim McNeill, DT (3)
Shoulder, September 22
Alim McNeill shoulder injury video
-Unclear which shoulder is hurt. Guessing right side during the swim move.
-Missed entire 2nd half but good news is Dan Campbell called it day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/tXJscQZhMf— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 26, 2024
Suspected right TMJ, November 10
Alim McNeill R jaw injury videos
-Suspicion for chronic TMJ. Nerve pain, other things also possible.
-11/23/23: Hard hit to R jaw. Down for a while. No concussion diagnosis.
-11/10/24: Definite R TMJ symptoms
-12/5/24: Officially “head” injury, not concussion. Jaw/TMJ again? pic.twitter.com/CyBjmCYunX— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 6, 2024
Concussion, December 5
Alim McNeill concussion video
-No good replay but may have been hit on back of head by Jamal Adams at end.
-Hits to back of head more likely to cause concussions.
-I reviewed previous plays of drive which looked fine. pic.twitter.com/UQ4o5yMVqM— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 6, 2024
Right ACL, December 15
Alim McNeill R knee injury video
-Uncertain on which step injury occurred but suspicion for final step landing hard on straight leg
-Postgame pessimism is concerning for ACL
-Best case would be mild bone bruise. Also possible are meniscus or other knee sprain. pic.twitter.com/RYYMkaigPt— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
Carlton Davis, CB (3)
Left thumb fracture, November 17
Left knee, November 24
Carlton Davis L knee injury video
-Nothing obvious. Passed ACL exam. Unlikely sig injury to any knee ligament.
-Possible tendon/muscle strain at posterior knee.
-Unlikely meniscus but await MRI result. pic.twitter.com/bFFv5U1xJV— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 25, 2024
Jaw fracture, December 15
Carlton Davis jaw injury video
-Came out 2x, maybe related
-In 1st qtr, blow to L head. Grabs facemask after. Returned after 1 play.
-In 2nd qtr, presumably hits L head on tackle. Trainers looking at L jaw. Did not return. pic.twitter.com/GDcwYFURVv— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (7)
Left ankle sprain, October 27
Malcolm Rodriguez L ankle injury video
-Hurt on his very 1st play punt coverage. His 2nd play, ankle gives out on him. Did not return.
-Low impact from lateral side likely caused eversion ankle injury
-Suspecting high ankle sprain or medial ankle sprain pic.twitter.com/XlwNTlindD— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 28, 2024
Right ACL, November 28
Malcolm Rodriguez R ACL injury video
-Knee buckles inward
-Hope no asso meniscus tear
-Expect ~11mo recovery
-1yr left on rookie deal pic.twitter.com/sw74L8B2zl— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 29, 2024
Ifeatu Melifonwu, S (14) – available
Ankle, August
Left hand, November
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB (7) – available
Neck, November 3
Jalen Reeves-Maybin L shoulder injury video
-Arm is pulled by Packer bent legs which could cause transient subluxation of shoulder joint
-Next play, holding L arm. Left game after that but returned late for onside kick.
-Probably gets imaging. Hope for good news. pic.twitter.com/uR5sE2fd6x— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 4, 2024
Kyle Peko, DT (13)
Left pec rupture, October 13
Kyle Peko L pec injury video
-Mechanism of injury: runner breaking away as Peko tries to pull him back in. Eccentric motion can tear pec.
-Concern for full pec rupture with how quickly he was ruled out. Can see visible evidence of rupture on exam. pic.twitter.com/IS8gn9BA1o— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
Josh Paschal, DE (3) – available
Shoulder mass excision, October
Right knee, November 28
Josh Paschal R knee injury video
-Went down after this play. Unsure exact moment of injury. Takes hard step towards the end but could have hurt it on a prior step.
-Prev plays of drive looked fine.
-Not put on IR. Will miss at least 1 game. pic.twitter.com/tEjbuxIQZu— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 4, 2024
Mekhi Wingo, DT (6)
Ankle, November
Right knee, November 28
Mekhi Wingo R knee injury video
-This is the suspicious play. Next play limping then left game, returned with knee brace.
-Can’t see much. R leg gets dragged a bit.
-Out for season, probable surgery pic.twitter.com/eDIqtEVCXt— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 30, 2024
Ennis Rakestraw, CB (9)
Hamstring, September
Hamstring, November 23
Brodric Martin, DT (10) – available
Right knee, August 24
Brodric Martin R knee injury video
-Obscured vid but can see him take a hard step onto R leg which can cause hyperextension and bone bruise
-Dan Campbell confirmed hyperextension
-Likely mild. Fair chance to be ready for game 1 but could miss 1-2 games pic.twitter.com/SRPX4WheNE— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) August 25, 2024
Brian Branch, S (1) – available
Concussion/illness, September 22
Brian Branch concussion injury video
-Both players (Trey McBride) go low and both appear to try to lead with shoulder. Unfortunately, helmets collide and both suffered concussions. pic.twitter.com/4umy12naDM— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Right calf/leg, December
Brian Branch R upper leg injury video
-He’s playing thru something as this is 2nd time in past 2 games he has reached for this area. Both times, bent sideways during tackle.
-Able to finish game.
-Suspect muscle/tendon or iliotibial band strain pic.twitter.com/V4379VEL34— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
Levi Onwuzurike, DT (1) – available
Left hamstring, November 28
Levi Onwuzurike L hamstring injury video
-Not severe as he wasn’t placed on IR
-Will miss at least 1 game pic.twitter.com/he4rdXOZFe— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 4, 2024
Khalil Dorsey, CB (3)
Right ankle/leg fracture, December 15
Khalil Dorsey R ankle fracture injury video
-Likely tib/fib close to ankle joint
-Out for year
-Hope the joint damage is minimal as that could complicate recovery pic.twitter.com/89Y0N51j57— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
Emmanuel Moseley, CB (15)
Pec rupture, August
Hamstring, November
Illness, January
Terrion Arnold, CB (1)
Groin, November
Right foot, January 5
Terrion Arnold right foot injury video
-Comes down hard with hyperextended toes and foot also twists
-Hope just mild hyperextended toes (turf toe) pic.twitter.com/szb3121vLR— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025
Trevor Nowaske, LB (1) – available
Concussion, December
Pat O’Connor, DT (0)
Calf, January 5
Pat O’Connor calf injury video
-Officially a calf. Can’t see much on vid though.
-Appeared to me reaching for right leg. pic.twitter.com/J7EAJEArYC— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025