The Detroit Lions (3-6-1) are heading to Washington (1-9) for a Week 12 matchup of two underperforming and banged-up teams.
The Lions have been bitten by the injury bug once again, which is beginning to happen with an unforgiving regularity. In addition to the four players who were unable to play due to injury, another five were forced from last weekend’s game, including Frank Ragnow and Trey Flowers who suffered concussions, as well as Tracy Walker, Jamal Agnew, and Nick Bawden who all suffered lower-body injuries.
Unable to practice on Wednesday
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)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)
FB Nick Bawden (knee) — placed on injured reserve
Ahead of last week’s game, it was reported that Stafford’s injury could last up to six weeks, but he may be able to return sooner. “Sooner” doesn’t appear to be this week as Stafford is still only observing practices.
Ragnow and Flowers are currently in concussion protocol, so it’s not overly surprising that they were unable to practice today. Brain injuries are unique but we will likely learn more about their health after their practice report status on Thursday.
Hand still not being able to practice is concerning.
Walker surprising returned to the field last Sunday but only lasted 23 snaps before being injured again and leaving the field. Agnew was also forced from last week’s game with injuries and we likely won’t know much more about their availability until tomorrow.
With punter Matt Wile on the practice squad, it looks like the Lions will be giving Martin some rest days to get fully healthy. Martin has yet to miss any game action this season.
We found out after practice that not only was Bawden not at practice but he was being placed on injured reserve — his season is cut short once again.
Limited practice
RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
C.J. Moore (hamstring)
Wagner is still moving through the NFL’s concussion protocol and a return to practice today is a big step in the right direction. He still needs to have a full practice and then be cleared by an independent doctor but he is getting closer to returning to game action.
Moore didn’t leave last week’s game with an injury, so this injury must have popped up after the game sometime. Limited at this point is good news but we will know more as the week progresses.
No longer listed on the injury report
DE Romeo Okwara (groin)
WR Danny Amendola (hand)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DT Mike Daniels (foot)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (ankle, thumb)
NT John Atkins (wrist)
CB Darius Slay (neck)
S Will Harris (quad)
Most of the players listed here being removed from the injury report isn’t overly surprising, with one glaring exception — Romeo Okwara.
Okwara was limited for most of last week but was unable to play in the game over the weekend, so not being listed here suggests either a miraculous recovery or that the team was exercising a lot of caution last Sunday.