The Lions should have the health advantage heading into the Cowboys game. The Cowboys just recently lost three impact edge rushers while the Lions are returning a couple key players coming out of the bye.
DETROIT LIONS
The Lions report is technically an estimate as they didn’t have practice Wednesday but should be very accurate as they have already practiced twice this week on Monday and Tuesday.
Frank Ragnow (FP) pec, C
After straining his left pec two weeks ago, Ragnow has already logged two practices this week. He will play vs the Cowboys with no concerns.
Brian Branch (FP) illness, S
Branch missed one game after a concussion three weeks ago and an illness two weeks ago. He is more than ready to go now with no concerns.
Christian Mahogany (FP) illness, OG
After a bout of mono starting in July, this 6th-round rookie started practicing again on Tuesday October 8. From a physical standpoint, the mono likely has not been an issue for weeks and I expect he could play at any time if the Lions need him. The FP today corroborates this. From a mental standpoint, he’s not ready as he hasn’t practiced since before training camp.
Campbell on Wednesday stated: “It looked like his 1st NFL practice which is what you’d expect.” As long as the guys ahead of him stay healthy, expect the Lions to use the entire 21-day practice window before activating Mahogany to the roster.
NOTABLES UNLISTED
Kerby Joseph
Against the Seahawks, Joseph appeared to injure his right side which could have been a mild oblique or back strain. The concern was that it could be an aggravation of the right hip issue from last year. While this is still a possibility, his absence from the report is a good sign.
Carlton Davis
Last game, Davis was down for a while after getting hit hard in the right chest area. Fortunately, nothing significant came of it.
Brodric Martin
Martin suffered a right knee hyperextension on August 24 and is still on IR. Earlier this week, Martin was seen working with a trainer on the field. I’d expect him to start his 21-day practice window soon.
DALLAS COWBOYS
With three of their top edge players out, the Cowboys will be relying on Chauncey Golston and Tyrus Wheat. Golston, a 4th-year player, has five sacks in his career and picked up a half sack last game. Wheat is a 2nd-year player with 0.5 career sacks who saw big uptick in playing time last week.
Micah Parsons (NP) ankle, LB
This elite pass rusher hurt his left high ankle in week four and has missed one game. High ankle sprains can keep players out longer than anticipated. With how much stress Parsons puts on his ankle, I don’t expect him to play this week and the NP today supports that.
Tyler Guyton (FP) knee, LT
The 1st-round rookie starter left the last game in the 2nd quarter due to a left knee injury. The injury is reportedly minor and Jerry Jones stated he has a good chance to play. The FP today confirms that. In his place last game, Tyler Smith moved from LG to LT and TJ Bass inserted at LG but those moves look to be unnecessary this week.
DaRon Bland (FP) foot, CB
This 1st-team All-Pro CB has been out the whole season due to a stress fracture in his 5th metatarsal but will make his return vs the Lions. Bland’s injury is in the location of a Jones fracture which is a tricky injury due to the higher risk of malunion (non-healing bone) and refracture. With his return, that means he has passed the malunion risk but the Cowboys will likely ease him in to minimize the refracture risk.
Eric Kendricks (NP) calf/shoulder, LB
Kendricks played 100% of defensive snaps last game so you wonder if his NP is just rest/precautionary.
Nick Vigil (NP) foot, ILB
Vigil is a special teams player who has not logged a defensive snap in the past three games.
NOTABLES UNLISTED
Marshawn Kneeland (OUT) right knee, DE – IR
This 2nd-round rookie who was filling in for the loss of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence left the last game due to a torn lateral meniscus. He is having arthroscopic surgery this week and is on IR.
Demarcus Lawrence (OUT) right Lisfranc, DE – IR
This star DE is a big loss for the Cowboys.
Brandin Cooks (OUT) right knee infection, WR – IR
The loss of Cooks may not have a significant impact as the Cowboys have a productive WR corps of CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin.
The full report is here:
