Tag: carlton davis

Lions rule out Sam LaPorta for Week 11, Carlton Davis will play

Lions rule out TE Sam LaPorta for Week 11, while CB Carlton Davis is among the wounded who will play against the Jaguars

Detroit Lions ight end Sam LaPorta will not play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. While that was expected ever since LaPorta suffered a shoulder injury in the Lions Week 10 win in Houston, it’s now official.

LaPorta was the only player on the active roster ruled out by the Lions for Sunday’s game. Reserve linebacker Ben Niemann is listed as questionable with an ankle injury that kept him from practicing on Friday.

Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, cornerback Carlton Davis and left tackle Taylor Decker were all full participants in Friday’s practice and carry no injury designation for the visit from Jacksonville. Decker and Rodriguez missed last week’s games, while Davis popped up on the injury report with a hand issue.

All three players who are on injured reserve and designated for return remain out: Brodric Martin, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Emmanuel Moseley.

Lions injury update: Taylor Decker among those with changed practice status

Lions injury update: Taylor Decker among those with changed practice status from Wednesday, a list that also includes Carlton Davis

There was some good news and bad news from the Detroit Lions injury report after Thursday’s practice ahead of Week 11.

First, the good news. Left tackle Taylor Decker was a full participant in Thursday’s session with his shoulder. Decker missed the Week 10 win in Houston and was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. That puts Decker in good position to play in Sunday’s game at Ford Field against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez also upgraded to a full participant. Rodriguez has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

Now, the bad news…

Starting CB Carlton Davis was downgraded with a hand injury. Davis was not listed on Wednesday’s report, indicating he suffered some form of malady during the session.

Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu also downgraded in status. Still on injured reserve but designated to return from a lingering ankle injury, Melifonwu dropped to a limited participant with a new finger listing.

Tight end Sam LaPorta sat out for the second consecutive day with a shoulder injury. LaPorta is not expected to play against Jacksonville.

Jaguars vs. Lions: Thursday injury reports

Jaguars vs. Lions: Thursday injury reports

The Jaguars made no changes to their injury report between Wednesday and Thursday, with starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence (expectedly) and running back Tank Bigsby notably missing their second consecutive day of work.

The Lions promoted a pair of players to full participation, but paired the good news with adding a starter to their injury report Thursday.

Find Jacksonville and Detroit’s Thursday injury reports for Week 11 below.

* indicates upgraded status from the previous practice 

^ indicates player is designated to return from injured reserve 

Jaguars injury report

  • RB Keilan Robinson^ (toe) — full
  • RB D’Ernest Johnson (hamstring) — limited
  • WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) — limited
  • WR Gabe Davis (shoulder) — limited
  • OL Brandon Scherff (knee) — limited
  • OL Ezra Cleveland (ankle) — limited
  • OL Blake Hance (knee) — limited
  • DE Josh Hines-Allen (shoulder) — limited
  • DT Maason Smith (ankle) — limited
  • CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder) — limited
  • S Daniel Thomas (hamstring) — limited
  • QB Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder) — did not participate
  • RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) — did not participate

Analysis: No changes to report. The Jaguars are trending toward listing a handful of players as questionable to play in Week 11, with starting left guard Ezra Cleveland and rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith’s statuses worth monitoring. Cleveland has missed Jacksonville’s last two games; Smith has been out for three weeks.

Lions injury report

  • OT Taylor Decker (shoulder) — full*
  • DT Brodric Martin (knee) — full
  • LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) — full*
  • CB Emmanuel Moseley (pectoral) — full
  • CB Carlton Davis (hand) — limited
  • S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) — limited
  • TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) — did not participate

Analysis: After not playing against Houston in Week 10, Detroit starting left tackle Taylor Decker and rotational linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez were upgraded to full practice participation Thursday. Both appear poised to play on Sunday.

The Lions added starting cornerback Carlton Davis to their injury report Thursday with a hurt hand, seemingly suffered during practice.

Lions snap count notes: Dan Campbell rode his starters heavily vs. Texans

Lions snap count notes: Dan Campbell rode his starters heavily in the Week 10 win over the Houston Texans

Injuries across the Detroit Lions roster forced head coach Dan Campbell to ask a lot of his healthy regular starters, and also more than expected from several reserves. It wasn’t always pretty of confidence-inducing, but the Lions delivered in a thrilling 26-23 comeback win.

The snap counts from Detroit’s Week 10 trip to Houston reveal just how strapped for healthy bodies the Lions were in a few spots. It starts on the defense.

Nine defensive starters played at least 58 of the 68 snaps in the game. That includes five iron men:

Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch
Linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell
Cornerback Terrion Arnold

Cornerback Carlton Davis missed three plays after leaving briefly with a minor injury.

Linemen Josh Paschal, Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike all played an absurd amount of snaps for big men thanks to the myriad injuries around them. Paschal was on the field for 61 snaps, with McNeill at 59 and Onwuzurike at 58. That’s over 85 percent for each.

In the third LB vs. third CB snap rate–the Lions almost always have one or the other, but not both, on the field–SAM Trevor Nowaske played more than nickel/slot Amik Robertson, 33 to 29.

The Lions only used No. 4 CB Kindle Vildor on three plays–the ones Davis sat out. No other corners played beyond special teams. Joseph and Branch were the only safeties who played. Reserve Brandon Joseph only played on special teams, while rookie Loren Strickland was inactive in Week 10.

On offense, the starting line and QB Jared Goff all played all 65 snaps. Veteran Dan Skipper got the nod at left tackle with Taylor Decker inactive due to a shoulder injury.

Jamarco Jones made his Lions debut with one official snap as an extra tackle (Skipper’s normal role), though he had two other plays that were negated due to penalties. No other linemen played outside of special teams.

The ever-popular running back splits saw Jahmyr Gibbs getting 60 percent of the workload to David Montgomery’s 40 percent. The Lions had one or the other in on every snap, but never played more than one. Gibbs and Montgomery were the only RBs who played on offense, with Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki very busy on special teams.

Jameson Williams returned from his two-game suspension and quickly resumed his WR2 role. He played 48 of the 65 offensive snaps, followed by Tim Patrick (32), Kalif Raymond (16) and Allen Robinson (4). Third TE Shane Zylstra got 19 snaps, behind Sam LaPorta (39) and Brock Wright (37), showing the Lions’ need for auxiliary blocking with Decker sidelined.

Lions cornerbacks among the best in single coverage in 2024

Lions cornerbacks among the best in single coverage in 2024 and we’ve got the data to prove it

Last season, one of the Achilles heels for the Lions was at the cornerback position. They clearly knew it; hence them drafting two corners to start the draft (Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw) and signing Carlton Davis in free agency. So far, that investment has paid off.

Arnold and Davis, in particular, are currently two of the better cornerbacks when it comes to playing in single coverage this season, according to a chart from Jrfortgang (@throwthedamball on Twitter). Both are playing single coverage at more than a 60% rate (the graph used a minimum of 100 coverage snaps) and both are above average (around -0.33) in terms of their separation grade, which used a scale from -2 to +2.

Davis is second on the team with eight passes defended while Arnold is fourth with five. Both are also among the top five on the team in tackles – Davis has 43, Arnold has 32.

Neither cornerback may be elite right now, but it’s much better play than what they got last season and it’s just one reason why the Lions are 7-1 and in the driver’s seat for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

Lions Monday medical report after wet Lambeau Field victory

Lions Monday medical report and injury analysis after wet Lambeau Field victory in Week 9

The Packers game appears to have been a generally healthy one for the Lions, and we might have the rainy weather to thank for that. Slow conditions can decrease injury risk given Newton’s second law of motion (force = mass x acceleration).

The slipperiness of the field may have also helped Jahmyr Gibbs avoid a serious ankle or knee injury as explained below.

In Dan Campbell’s Monday press conference, he was not asked and did not comment about any injuries.

Here are the injuries seen on initial watch along with possible diagnoses:

Jahmyr Gibbs, left ankle sprain or right knee bone bruise – 3q 11:00

Gibbs had his left foot dangerously trapped which can cause a high ankle sprain or fracture. While this wasn’t a hip-drop tackle, the mechanism of injury is the same. On video, there is a slight external rotation of the ankle which may have caused a mild high ankle sprain. Gibbs’ foot is able slip out to avoid a more serious injury.

On the subsequent step, the right leg extends outward and plants hard which put him at risk for a knee hyperextension. The slippery field may have helped prevent a more serious injury as his right foot is able to slide just a bit. Fortunately, the video did not show any knee deformity, although a knee bone bruise is still possible.

Gibbs was limping later in the drive but was still able to end the drive with a touchdown. He didn’t play much after that although he did return to the game in the 4th quarter which is reassuring. I expect him to be fine for the Texans game but we’ll see what the Wednesday injury report brings.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, left shoulder – 4q 13:01

His left arm appears to be slightly tugged by the Packer player’s bent legs during the tackle. The main concern is a subluxation of the shoulder joint. He was nursing his left arm during the next play and went to the bench after that. Good news is that he did return to the game late for the onside kick.

He’ll likely get imaging on the shoulder to check for any damage like a labral tear. Hopefully, the results are negative and this is just a mild shoulder sprain.

Carlton Davis, right shoulder/arm – 4q 10:34

Davis’s right arm or shoulder was bothering him after the play. A stinger is possible as his neck was torqued to the left and he was flexing his fingers afterwards which could indicate tingling or sensation loss. Also possible is a contusion due to the direct impact to the right shoulder.

The unlikely worst-case scenario would be a pec tear which can happen when a runner breaks away while a tackler is wrapping up. We saw this earlier in the year with Kyle Peko.

Davis missed some plays but returned to the game later which is reassuring. We should know by Wednesday whether there is any significant concern.

Penei Sewell, right low ankle sprain – 4q 3:42

Sewell’s ankle appeared to suffer a mild inversion which can cause a low ankle sprain. I didn’t see anything more concerning than that although the video was partially obscured. He was able to finish out the rest of the game. A mild low ankle sprain would be a good outcome and would not affect his availability for the Texans game.

Sewell suffered a mild right ankle sprain back in week one which is likely healed at this point, but an aggravation of that injury is a possibility.

Lions inactive players vs. Vikings: Carlton Davis active, Kevin Zeitler sits

Lions inactive players vs. Vikings: Carlton Davis active, Kevin Zeitler sits with his injury

The Detroit inactive player list for the Week 7 matchup in Minnesota with the Vikings cleared up the officially questionable status of two Lions starters from the final injury report on Friday.

Cornerback Carlton Davis was questionable for the game after dealing with a quad injury throughout the week. Davis is active in Minnesota.

Right guard Kevin Zeitler was not so fortunate. Zeitler is out with his groin injury that “popped up” during practice this week, in Dan Campbell’s words.

Tight end Parker Hesse is the most notable of the healthy scratches. The Lions perhaps tipped off a move like this by elevating TE Shane Zylstra for the game.

The rest of the Lions inactives are pretty standard fare at this point of the season, with depth offensive players sitting out as healthy scratches. Newcomer Isaiah Thomas was an expected scratch. The full list of inactives:

TE Parker Hesse

RG Kevin Zeitler

WR Isaiah Williams

OL Giovanni Manu

S Loren Strickland

EDGE Isaiah Thomas

[lawrence-related id=113578]

 

Lions vs Vikings: Final injury report and medical analysis

Lions vs Vikings: Final injury report and medical analysis via Dr. Liao

For the Lions, the active roster is mostly healthy, but there was a downgrade over the week in Kevin Zeitler.

The Vikings look to be missing some important players, but they got upgrades over the course of the week in Harrison Phillips and Patrick Jones.

DETROIT LIONS

Carlton Davis, CB (NP NP FP – Questionable) quad

Davis left the game after getting a cleat to the head early in the 3rd quarter. I reviewed all his plays prior and didn’t see any signs of a quad issue which bodes well for this Sunday. Add in the Friday FP and he is likely to play with no limitations.

Kevin Zeitler, OG (NP LP NP – Questionable) groin

Zeitler hurt himself in practice this week and the Friday NP means he’s likely out for Sunday. Early signs are good though that this shouldn’t be anything long-term.

If Zeitler can’t go, there shouldn’t be much of a drop-off as Kayode Awosika has been a very solid OG backup the past two years.

Hopefully, Zeitler does not have a hip joint issue as that could be a long-term concern. More likely, it’s a mild hip flexor or hip adductor muscle strain which can cause groin pain.

Brian Branch, S (LP FP FP – IN) knee

Branch landed hard on his knee during his interception return early in the 4th quarter. He played the first two plays of the next drive without obvious issues, but then was replaced by Brandon Joseph the rest of garbage time. The 2x FP is reassuring that there is no ligament/cartilage damage and more likely is just a benign contusion.

Dan Skipper, OT (NP FP FP – IN) ribs

Skipper hurt his right lower ribs in game three vs the Cardinals but hasn’t missed a game. He was wearing a visible protective pad on that right side during the Cowboys game which means the rib isn’t fully healed yet.

He will play vs the Vikings as he hopes to bounce back from his zero-catch performance.

Frank Ragnow, C (NP FP FP – IN) rest

Good to see that Ragnow’s pec is not on the report. He strained his left pec 3.5 weeks ago and the Cowboys game was his first game back.

Christian Mahogany, OG (FP FP FP – OUT) illness

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 about two months. Because the Lions don’t need him now, I expect him to max out the full 21-day practice window and be put on the roster around October 29.

NOTABLES

Aidan Hutchinson was placed on IR with a left tib/fib fracture. Expect him back in limited fashion for the Super Bowl.

Kyle Peko was placed on IR with left pec surgery. He is out for the year.

Brodric Martin, who had a right knee hyperextension on August 24, has not started his 21-day practice window yet. Hopefully, that will happen next week.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Blake Cashman, LB (NP NP NP – OUT) toe

A turf toe issue will keep this important LB out. He had played 100% of snaps the past two games.

Aaron Jones, RB (NP LP LP – Questionable) hamstring

Jones hurt his leg two weeks ago. With an NP early and no FP’s, he’s likely out vs the Lions. The Vikings just traded for Cam Akers this week so expect to see him.

Harrison Phillips, DT (NP LP FP – Questionable) shoulder

This starting nose tackle would be a big loss in the middle, but the FP hints he’ll play.

Patrick Jones, DE (NP LP FP – Questionable) shoulder

Jones has five sacks on the year so his loss could be impactful, but the FP means he’s likely in.

TJ Hockenson, TE (LP LP LP – Questionable) knee

Hockenson reportedly won’t be ready to play this week coming off his ACL suffered against the Lions last year.

Akayleb Evans, CB (NP NP NP – OUT) hip

Evans is a special teamer who hasn’t played on defense in the past four games.

Dalton Risner, OG (LP LP LP – Questionable) back

Risner has yet to play this year due to injury. The lack of an FP means he’s likely still out.

The full report:

Lions see some changes in the latest injury report

Lions see some changes in the latest injury report, including a full return by Brian Branch but a setback for Kevin Zeitler

The injury and practice participation report from the Detroit Lions on Thursday didn’t feature any new names from the previous day. That’s a good thing for the Lions as they prepare to head to Minnesota to play the unbeaten Vikings in Week 7.

Thursday’s report featured upgrades to safety Brian Branch and reserve offensive lineman Dan Skipper. Both practiced in full. Branch, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, was limited with a knee issue on Wednesday. Skipper sat out Wednesday with a rib injury. Center Frank Ragnow returned as a full participant after his veteran rest day on Wednesday.

Alas, there was a setback with one offensive lineman. Starting right guard Kevin Zeitler was listed as limited with a groin injury. That’s a downgrade from Zeitler’s status on Wednesday, when he sat out as a veteran rest day.

Remaining sidelined is starting cornerback Carlton Davis. He is dealing with a quadriceps issue. It is not related to the potential brain injury he suffered in the Week 6 win in Dallas.

[lawrence-related id=113468]

 

 

Lions injury update: Carlton Davis, Brian Branch among the wounded

Lions injury update: Carlton Davis, Brian Branch among the wounded to start out Week 7

The first practice status injury report from the Detroit Lions ahead of the Week 7 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings features four players who did not participate on Wednesday.

The good news is that two of the players sat as part of a veteran rest regimen. Offensive linemen Frank Ragnow (C) and Kevin Zeitler (RG) each took the day for personal rest. Both played throughout the Week 6 win in Dallas until the Lions pulled the starters late in the blowout victory.

Cornerback Carlton Davis (quad) and offensive lineman Dan Skipper (ribs) also did not participate in practice. Davis is not in the concussion protocol after being kicked in the helmetless head during Sunday’s game.

Safety Brian Branch, the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week, was limited with a knee issue.

Finally, offensive lineman Christian Mahogany was a full participant as he continued to effort an activation from the non-football injury list.