After an injury-free game vs the Bears, Lions fans can focus on watching for players that are going to return to action. While there are three players who could make their return this week vs the 49ers – Graham Glasgow, Kalif Raymond, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, I expect only Glasgow to return.
Here are the players that could return soon with my projected return date.
Graham Glasgow – Projected return this week vs 49ers
Glasgow missed last game with a knee issue, and also had an unspecified knee injury in week two for which he did not miss a game. It’s possible there is a chronic or recurrent injury going on.
After two NP’s (no practice) to start last week, he had a LP (limited practice) on Friday which is reassuring that the injury is short-term. Dan Campbell this Monday stated: “I see Graham coming back, I think he’s going to be ready to roll, he’s going to slip right back into left guard and start for us.”
With Christian Mahogany playing well at LG and the rest of the offensive line healthy, the Lions could decide to slow-play Glasgow’s return. But it sounds like Glasgow will be thrown back into action immediately.
Kalif Raymond – Projected return 1 to 3 weeks
Raymond injured his left foot on November 24 and was placed on IR. Initial reports were to expect him by the start of the playoffs. This is the first week he is eligible to return from IR, so hopefully we see his practice window open this week.
If his 21-day practice window opens this week, it’s possible he doesn’t medically need the entire window and could play vs the 49ers. This scenario happened with Ifeatu Melifonwu last week. If Raymond’s window does not open this week, that implies he is 3 or more weeks away. The playoffs start in 18 days.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin – Projected return 2-3 weeks (week 18 or 1st-round playoffs)
Reeves-Maybin opened his 21-day practice window on December 19 which was not immediately after 4 weeks of IR. That suggests he will use most or all of his window before playing.
Currently, at only day 5 of his 21 day practice window, don’t expect him to be available vs the 49ers which will be on day 11. Expect him either the final regular season game vs the Vikings (day 17) or the playoffs.
Dan Campbell on Monday was vague and non-committal about Reeves-Maybin’s return date.
Alex Anzalone – Projected return 3 weeks (1st-round playoffs)
Anzalone fractured his forearm on November 17 and is currently on IR. The recovery was expected to take 6-8 weeks, and this week’s game vs the 49ers is the 6-week mark. However, since he hasn’t started his 21-day practice window yet, that suggests he is around 3 weeks away.
The first round of the playoffs, which is 8 weeks post-injury, starts in 18 days so his 21-day practice window should open this week.
David Montgomery – Projected return 4 weeks (2nd-round playoffs)
Montgomery has an MCL sprain that is severe or complicated enough that season-ending surgery was under consideration. He has chosen to try to rehab and return this season. Ian Rapaport reported this past weekend that the hope is Montgomery will be back for the divisional round which is 4 weeks away.
Montgomery was not placed on IR. Thus he can practice and play at any time, and there will be no 21-day practice window.
Ennis Rakestraw – Projected return >3 weeks (sometime in playoffs)
Rakestraw suffered his second hamstring issue of the year on November 23 and has been on IR. He was eligible to return last game vs the Bears, but his practice window did not open. This implies he is at least three weeks away.
Carlton Davis – Projected return 5 weeks (NFC Championship game)
Davis fractured his jaw on December 15 with an initial estimated recovery of six weeks. That would put him back for the NFC championship game.
Aidan Hutchinson – Projected return 7 weeks (Super Bowl)
It’s been 10 weeks since his left tib/fib fracture on October 13. There is a good chance the bone is fully healed now allowing all his energy to be directed towards rehabbing his legs enough to return for the Super Bowl. The big game is 17 weeks post-injury.