Lions Week 12 injury designations: Matthew Stafford, 5 others ruled OUT

The Detroit Lions announced their injury designations ahead of their trip to Washington, ruling out six players, including Matthew Stafford, Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand, Tracy Walker, and Jamal Agnew.

The Detroit Lions (3-6-1) have announced their injury designations ahead of their Week 12 trip to Washington (1-9) and they will be without six players, all of which are significant weekly contributors on game day.

Let’s take a closer look at who won’t play, whose status is in question and those who will play on Sunday despite being banged up.

Ruled OUT

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
C Frank Ragnow (concussion)
EDGE Trey Flowers (concussion)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
RET. Jamal Agnew (ankle)

Stafford was ruled out at coach Matt Patricia’s morning press conference, which shouldn’t be a surprise given it was reported his injury could last up to six weeks. Jeff Driskel will get his third start under center in Honolulu Blue.

Ragnow is still in the league’s concussion protocol and the Lions will need to shuffle the offensive line to account for his absence. Graham Glasgow will shift inside to center, while Kenny Wiggins will be promoted into the starting lineup at right guard.

Flowers is also in concussion protocol and the Lions will need to turn to a collection of players to replace him on the edge. Romeo Okowara has missed the last two weeks with an injury but is no longer listed on the injury report and will be expected to start. He won’t be expected to replace Flowers on his own as the Lions have recently turned to linebackers Christian Jones and Jahlani Tavai to assist in setting the edge.

With no Flowers or Hand in the lineup, the Lions interior pass rush will take a significant hit. Hopefully, Mike Daniels can bring the heat, because the rest of the defensive linemen have underwhelmed in creating pressure.

Walker is one of the key players in allowing Patricia to execute his multiple scheme and without him on the field, the safety group will be limited. Expect Tavon Wilson and rookie Will Harris to start, with undrafted rookie C.J. Moore (who is also injured) or Miles Killebrew in the third safety role.

Agnew loss means the Lions will need to turn to their reserves for both punt and kick return duties. Last week, speedster Marvin Hall was called upon to replace Agnew, which will likely be the case again this week, but we could also see Danny Amendola returning punts and Ty Johnson on kick returns.

Questionable

CB Rashaan Melvin (ribs)

Melvin was not listed as injured on Wednesday or Thursday but popped up on the injury report with a limited practice on Friday. Mid-week injuries tend to be troublesome, so even if he is active on Sunday, he may see limited snaps.

Not listed with an injury designation

RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
S C.J. Moore (hamstring)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Wagner is not listed with an injury designation, suggesting he is either close to, or has, cleared the league’s concussion protocol. Expectations are he will start on Sunday at right tackle.

Harrison has gone through this same routine each week since injuring his groin almost a month ago and no reason to think things have changed — full practice to open the week, a rest day on Thursday, limited on Friday, and start on Sunday.

Moore was limited Wednesday and Thursday but was upgraded to a full practice on Friday. He looks good to go on Sunday.

Unless Martin suffers a setback this weekend, he is expected to play on Sunday. If he needs to be replaced, the Lions would turn to Matt Wile, who would need to be promoted from the practice squad.