Tag: Christian Mahogany

Lions inactives vs. Jaguars: Sam LaPorta out, 3 healthy scratches on the OL

Lions inactives vs. Jaguars: Sam LaPorta out, 3 healthy scratches on the OL in Week 11

The Detroit Lions released their inactive player list for the Week 11 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The biggest name was one that was already known, with tight end Sam LaPorta already ruled out with a shoulder injury.

LaPorta is the only player on the active roster out due to injury. Cornerback Carlton Davis broke his thumb during the week, but he’s active. So is left tackle Taylor Decker, who missed Week 10 with a shoulder/chest issue.

All the other inactive Lions are considered healthy scratches, with three of them coming along the offensive line:

OL Giovanni Manu
G Christian Mahogany
T Colby Sorsdal
S Loren Strickland
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

Muhammad is inactive thanks to the addition of veteran Za’Darius Smith, who will make his Lions debut against the Jaguars.

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Christian Mahogany activated to the Lions 53-man roster

Christian Mahogany activated to the Lions 53-man roster after spending months on Detroit’s non-football illness list

The Detroit Lions have activated rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany from the non-football illness list. Mahogany is now on the Lions’ 53-man active roster and eligible to play immediately.

It’s been a long path for Mahogany, a sixth-round pick out of Boston College. The guard contracted mononucleosis over the summer and missed all of training camp and the first few weeks of the season. The Lions designated Mahogany for return three weeks ago, and the team had to either activate him this week or lose Mahogany for the rest of the season.

Mahogany has been an active participant in practices but wasn’t deemed ready to be active until today, an off day for Lions. Detroit had an opening on the roster, so no corollary move was required to add Mahogany.

Lions vs Titans: Final injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Titans: Final injury report medical analysis for both teams ahead of their Week 8 matchup

The NFC-leading Detroit Lions active roster is mostly in good health as they take on the Tennessee Titans. During the week, the Lions lost Jameson Williams due to suspension and Josh Paschal due to an illness. The Titans lost DeAndre Hopkins and Ernest Jones due to trades. They also got downgrades to T’Vondre Sweat and Jarvis Brownlee, but an upgrade to Calvin Ridley.

For the Lions, the loss of Williams is cushioned by the fact that all the other offensive weapons are healthy. Elite stars like 2nd-team All-Pro Sam LaPorta have yet to have a breakout game this year, so there is plenty left in the arsenal.

For the Titans, whose record is 1-5, it’s understandable if the focus of the team is already shifting towards next season. Long-time Lions fans are nodding our heads in empathy.

Dan Campbell in his Friday press conference made comments on multiple players which I will include below.

DETROIT LIONS

Josh Paschal DE (NP NP NP – Out) illness

Paschal gave a positive update about his illness today. Here is the full article by Benjamin Raven of MLive. 

Paschal was treated for malignant melanoma in 2018 which is life-threatening due to its potential to metastasize. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like the current issue is related.

Skin screenings are something I recommend during routine health physicals of almost all ages as melanomas can occur in otherwise young, healthy people.

To help replace Paschal, Dan Campbell stated “we’ll use Isaiah Thomas”. The Lions signed this DE off the Bengals practice squad two weeks ago, so one of the newest members of the team might see his first action vs the Titans.

Christian Mahogany OG (FP FP FP – Out) illness

Dan Campbell on Friday stated “he’s made strides every week”. Mahogany’s  mono illness should be long-resolved and the multi-week string of FP’s corroborates this.

His 21-day practice window is ending next week. If the Lions don’t put him on the roster at the end of his practice window, he is ineligible to return the rest of the year. It wouldn’t make sense for the Lions to have started his practice window this early in the season if they weren’t planning to put him on the roster. Thus, expect to see him on the roster on Monday or Tuesday next week.

Kevin Zeitler OG (FP FP FP – In) groin

Zeitler missed last game due to the groin, but he is ready to go on Sunday. The typically reliable Kayode Awosika had a rough game vs the Vikings so it’s good to get Zeitler back.

Taylor Decker OT (NP FP FP – In) rest

In the offseason, Decker had ankle/foot surgeries including a sesamoidectomy, bone spur removal, and deltoid ligament repair. This warrior played through all those issues last year. The sesamoidectomy and bone spurs can be signs of chronic issues that would benefit from regular rest days as he battles through them during a season.

Graham Glasgow OG (NP FP FP – In) rest

Glasgow had a minor knee issue in week two but has otherwise been healthy.

Frank Ragnow C (NP FP FP – In) rest

Ragnow is now 4.5 weeks removed from his left pec strain and has looked like his usual All-Pro self in the past two games.

Levi Onwuzurike DT (NP FP FP – In) rest

Onwuzurike had a minor right knee issue in week three but otherwise has been healthy this year. He does have a significant history of a remarkable recovery from an L5-S1 lumbar fusion in 2022.

NOTABLES

Jameson Williams

Williams is out due to a two-game suspension for stimulants or diuretics (masking agents). He’ll also miss next game vs the Packers but will be back vs the Texans on Sunday Night Football.

Ifeatu Melifonwu

On Friday, Dan Campbell said, “he’s better than when we put him on injured reserve… he’s progressed nicely”. Melifonwu hurt his ankle area around August 17 and has yet to play this season. There were some scattered reports that the injury might actually be an Achilles.

An Achilles tendonitis would explain the uncertain, longer-than-anticipated timeline for Melifonwu as neither player nor medical want to take any chances it could lead to an Achilles rupture. We are seeing a similar situation play out with Christian McCaffrey, who has yet to play this year due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis.

Melifonwu is eligible to return from IR next week vs the Packers.

 

TENNESSEE TITANS

Will Levis QB (LP LP LP – Questionable) right shoulder

Levis missed last game with a right AC joint sprain and reports strongly suggest he’s out against the Lions with Mason Rudolph making another start. His status may be more of a coach’s decision than a medical decision.

L’Jarius Snead CB (NP NP NP – Out) quad

Snead is a starting CB who missed last game and is out again this Sunday. This is a big loss for the Titans.

Jarvis Brownlee DB (UL UL LP – Questionable) ankle

This 5th-round rookie starting CB has played 100% of snaps the past two games. The Titans could be missing both starting CB’s if Brownlee can’t go.

Calvin Ridley WR (NP NP FP – IN) foot

This starting WR has 12 receptions for 183 yards on the year.

T’Vondre Sweat DT (UL LP NP- Questionable) hip

With an NP on Friday, he’s likely out. This 2nd-round rookie has played around 75% of snaps in every game this year so he could be a big loss.

Jerome Baker (UL NP LP – Questionable) rest

Baker joined the team this week in the Ernest Jones trade.

Tyjae Spears RB (LP LP LP – Questionable) hamstring

Spears has 33 carries for 114 yards this year.

Cedric Gray LB (FP FP FP – Out) shoulder

Gray is a 4th-round rookie who has yet to play this year due to injury.

Jaelyn Duncan OT (NP NP NP – Out) hamstring

Duncan plays limited snaps on offense.

NOTABLES

DeAndre Hopkins WR

Hopkins, who has 15 receptions for 173 yards this year, was traded this week for a pick.

Ernest Jones LB

This starting LB, who has played close to 100% of snaps this year, was traded this week to the Seahawks in exchange for Jerome Baker and a 4th-round pick.

Here’s the full report:

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 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.

Lions vs Cowboys: Final injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Cowboys: Final injury report medical analysis for the Week 6 matchup in Dallas

It’s early in the week but the Lions look to have the health advantage heading into the Cowboys game. The Cowboys just recently lost three impact edge rushers in Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Marshawn Kneeland. Similarly but to a lesser caliber, the Lions lost two edge players recently in Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes.

The Cowboys also have had two players’ expectations downgraded over the course of the week in Eric Kendricks and DaRon Bland.

On the positive side, the Lions are returning a couple key players coming out of the bye in Frank Ragnow and Brian Branch, while the Cowboys are likely returning Caelen Carson.

DETROIT LIONS

A new listing popped up during the week with Kerby Joseph.

Kerby Joseph (UL LP FP – IN) hamstring, S

A hamstring strain in practice landed him on the Thursday report but won’t keep him out. Recall that Joseph also strained a hamstring before game 2 but did not miss the game.

Frank Ragnow (FP FP FP – IN) pec, C

After straining his left pec three weeks ago, he is ready to play vs the Cowboys with no concerns.

Brian Branch (FP FP FP – IN) 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 FP FP – OUT) 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 over 1.5 months and the 3x FP supports this. He will be inactive though since he is far behind mentally and there are many players ahead of him on the depth chart.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Downgrades in expectation over the week include DaRon Bland and Eric Kendricks.

With three of their top edge players out, the Cowboys will be relying on Chauncey Golston and Tyrus Wheat. Golston is a 4th-year player, who 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 got significantly more playing time last game.

Micah Parsons (NP NP NP – OUT) ankle, LB

This elite pass rusher will miss the Lions game due to a high ankle sprain.

Eric Kendricks (NP NP NP – OUT) calf/shoulder, LB

Kendricks played 100% of defensive snaps last game which makes his out designation a surprise. This could be a big loss in the middle of the defense. Lions fans are very familiar with Kendricks who played eight years in Minnesota.

DaRon Bland (FP FP NP – Questionable) foot, CB

This 1st-team All-Pro CB has been out the whole season due to a stress fracture in his 5th metatarsal but was expected to make a limited return this Sunday. However, an NP on Friday puts his return in doubt.

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. The NP could indicate a setback of some kind.

Caelen Carson (FP FP FP – Questionable) shoulder, CB

Carson has been inactive the past two weeks but with 3x FP, I expect him to play on Sunday. He played 98% of defensive snaps three weeks ago so his return will boost the Cowboys secondary.

Nick Vigil (NP NP NP – Questionable) foot, ILB

Vigil has not played a defensive snap the last three games but plays regularly on special teams. Three NP suggests out.

Tyler Guyton (FP FP FP – IN) knee, LT

This 1st-round rookie starter exited the last game due to a left knee injury. The injury is reportedly minor and the 3x FP confirms this. He will start on Sunday. In case there is an aggravation, look for Tyler Smith to move from LG to LT and TJ Bass to insert at LG.

Trevon Diggs (FP NP FP – IN) ankle/illness, CB

Diggs played 100% of defensive snaps last week. A new issue popped up during the week but won’t keep him out.

Zack Martin (NP NP FP – IN) rest/back, OG

 

NOTABLES UNLISTED

Demarcus Lawrence DE, right foot Lisfranc – IR

This star DE is a big loss for the Cowboys and may be out for multiple months.

Marshawn Kneeland DE, right knee meniscus – 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 had arthroscopic surgery this week and is on IR.

Brandin Cooks WR, right knee infection – IR

A joint infection is a serious issue that requires IV antibiotics and drainage. The loss of Cooks may not have a significant impact as the Cowboys have a dangerous WR corps of CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, and KaVontae Turpin. The Lions secondary will be getting no breaks here.

Here is the full report:

Christian Mahogany practices, officially starting his return window clock

Mahogany has been out since June with an illness, but now his activation clock has officially started

There was a very welcome sight at the Detroit Lions practice session on Tuesday in Allen Park. For the first time since the team’s minicamp in June, rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany participated in practice.

Mahogany is still on Detroit’s non-football illness list after missing over two months with mononucleosis (mono), but he’s working his way back. The first practice is a first step, kicking off a 21-day activation window for Mahogany. The Lions now have 21 days from today, October 8th, to activate Mahogany onto the 53-man active roster. If they don’t activate him within that window, Mahogany will miss his entire rookie season.

It comes at a time when the Lions can use some depth reinforcements. All-Pro center Frank Ragnow missed the last game with a pectoral muscle injury, and his status remains uncertain for the coming game(s). Ragnow did practice on Tuesday in the portion open to the media, a good sign.

A sixth-rounder from Boston College, Mahogany was an excellent stylistic and schematic fit for the Lions offensive line. Detroit signed veteran Pro Bowler Kevin Zeitler to a one-year contract in the offseason to help groom Mahogany for a larger role in 2025, though that has been derailed because of Mahogany’s debilitating illness.

Lions bye week medical status report and outlook for return

Lions bye week medical status report and outlook for return for players like Frank Ragnow, Derrick Barnes, Ifeatu Melifonwu and more

With four games in the books and entering the bye week, it’s a good time to recap where the Lions are at from a medical standpoint. Overall, despite some injuries, the Lions are in good shape coming out of the bye.

Not listed here are a couple pending concerns from the Seahawks game in Kerby Joseph and Carlton Davis (see my postgame article for details).

MAJOR LOSSES

Marcus Davenport, DE

Davenport missed game two due to a groin injury and game four due to a left elbow injury. The elbow is expected to be a season-ender.

Signed to a 1-year contract as a free agent, the Lions were hoping that Davenport would solidify the edge position opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

With Davenport out, Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, and James Houston will have increased opportunities.

Derrick Barnes, LB

This versatile LB took a direct impact on his right knee in game three, which may have caused a hyperextension, MCL sprain, and possibly more. He was placed on IR after the game.

The earliest he could return is Week 9 vs the Packers, but he’s expected to be out longer than that with the possibility it’s even a season-ender.

With Barnes out, Malcolm Rodriguez and Ben Niemann saw a big increase in snaps at the LB position against the Seahawks.

MINOR LOSSES

Frank Ragnow, C

This 2nd-team All-Pro is a major player, but he’s in the minor category because his left pec injury is not expected to be a long-term issue. He hurt the pec early in game three and missed game four.

The diagnosis is a partially-torn pec which translates to a grade 1 or 2 strain. If the strain is mild and does not involve the tendon, Ragnow could be back after the bye vs the Cowboys. Even if a longer recovery is needed, I would not expect him to be out much longer than that. He was not placed on IR which suggests an injury of less than four weeks.

To fill Ragnow’s void, Graham Glasgow moved from LG to C, and Kayode Awosika inserted at LG. Both played well against the Seahawks.

Ifeatu Melifonwu, S

A persistent ankle issue landed Melifonwu on IR before game four. The injury suffered likely in the second preseason game on August 17 was not initially expected to be a long-term issue, otherwise the Lions would have put him on IR much sooner. Melifonwu’s earliest possible return is in week nine vs the Packers.

If starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph stay healthy, Melifonwu’s absence is not a major problem. But if either go down, it would be valuable to have Melifonwu who made numerous splash plays in the second half of last season.

REINFORCEMENTS COMING SOON

Brodric Martin, DT

This 2023 3rd-round pick hyperextended his right knee on August 24 and was placed on IR at the 53-man cutdown. This means he could return to the team at any time now although Dan Campbell’s comments suggest he is not quite ready yet. I would expect him to start practicing sometime in the next three weeks.

With the loss of Davenport for the year, having Martin available on the defensive line will give the Lions more flexibility if they choose to play Levi Onwuzurike at the DE position.

Christian Mahogany, OG

The Lions 6th-round pick missed all of camp due to mononucleosis and started the season on NFI (non-football-injury). He is now eligible to return anytime and Dan Campbell says he is close.

His mono was likely diagnosed around July 20 and is typically a 3-4 week recovery unless there are complications like persistent splenomegaly. He was able to resume training before the start of the regular season which was a good sign.

Mahogany’s return is dependent on his strength, conditioning, and mental readiness. For a rookie who missed all of camp, the mental game might be the limiting factor.

I’m not expecting Mahogany to play much of a role this season, but any injuries to the guys ahead of him could change things in a hurry.

LONG RANGE HOPEFULS

Emmanuel Moseley, CB

After two straight ACL tears, Moseley tore his pec around August 5 this year. Assuming this was a complete rupture, expect a return around Thanksgiving if he follows the same 16-week timeline as CJ Gardner-Johnson of last year.

John Cominsky, DT/DE

An MCL tear on July 30 was complicated enough to require surgery. The initial estimated recovery was 5-6 months which would mean a return in January-February. Optimistically, the fact that Cominsky made the initial 53-man roster before being placed on IR means the Lions think there is a chance of a return this year.

Dan Campbell says Christian Mahogany ‘very close’ to starting his return

Dan Campbell says rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany is ‘very close’ to starting his return from the NFI list and mononucleosis

Rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany has been sidelined for months on the non-football illness list after battling mononucleosis over the summer. On Saturday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered up a positive note on Mahogany potentially getting back onto the active roster in the near future.

Campbell was asked about the status of Mahogany and also defensive tackle Brodric Martin, who is also out with an injury that happened in training camp.

“Yeah, (GM) Brad (Holmes) and I will talk about that, but they’re – I know Mahogany’s very close. He’s very close for us to have that conversation of, what time is it to begin to start his clock? But obviously they’re both doing well, healing up, getting better, and I would say Mahogany’s closer than Brodric is.”

The Lions have a bye in Week 5 after the Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks. Because they are off for a full week, there is no need to start the reactivation clock for Mahogany until the team regroups to start Week 6. Once the team designates Mahogany (and Martin) for return, the Lions have three weeks to either activate the player or lose him for the rest of the season.

Lions injury breakdown: Christian Mahogany outlook after mono

Lions rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany is sidelined after getting mono. What is his medical and football outlook?

Christian Mahogany, the Lions 6th-round-pick who mysteriously missed all of training camp and preseason, has confirmed that mononucleosis (mono) was the culprit.

 

Mono is typically caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and studies have shown that over 90% of humans have contracted it at some point in their life. Most people likely contracted it as a child and developed some immunity, which would help prevent a more severe case later in life.

If an athlete is diagnosed with mono, the main concern is enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), which is found in about 50% of patients. The splenomegaly can lead to splenic rupture, which is rare but life-threatening. Avoiding contact sports and even heavy lifting for three to four weeks is thus recommended as usually the spleen returns to normal in that time.

In rare cases, the splenomegaly can persist beyond four weeks, which would necessitate a longer absence. Mahogany likely has had ultrasounds of his spleen to check for this issue. Presumably since he has resumed strength training, any significant splenomegaly has resolved.

OUTLOOK

There are unlikely to be any long-term issues for Mahogany due to mono. About 10% of individuals report persistent fatigue for months but this usually resolves over time. Some may experience lingering sore joints and that could affect performance.

Mahogany has been on the NFI (non-football injury) list since the start of camp and is remaining on NFI into the season. This means he is ineligible to play or even practice the first 4 weeks of the season. The earliest he is eligible to play is October 13 vs the Cowboys, after the bye.

Physically, there is a good chance he could play by the Cowboys game as that will have given him about six to eight weeks of training and conditioning. But since he is a rookie who has missed a significant amount of practice, it’s his mental game that might delay his return. Hopefully, we can see him take on a limited backup role at OG sometime in October.