Tag: Detroit Lions injury update

Injury update and status report for the Chicago Bears for Week 16

A look at the injuries for the Lions opponent in Week 16, the Chicago Bears

The Lions are certainly dealing with their own injury issues but their Week 16 opponent, the Chicago Bears, have a few questions of their own heading into Sunday, particularly along the offensive line.

Chicago only has one player ruled out for Sunday, offensive lineman Ryan Bates. Bates has been out since Week 11 with a concussion. He isn’t the only Bears offensive lineman that had been dealing with a concussion.

Braxton Jones also had a concussion, but he is trending towards returning this week. After missing practice Wednesday, Jones was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. He is listed as questionable for Sunday, but his practicing twice this week is a good sign of his availability.

OL Teven Jenkins is also questionable for Sunday with a calf injury. Jenkins did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but did log a limited practice Friday.

RB Travis Homer is listed as doubtful after being added to the injury list Friday with a hamstring injury. DL Gervon Dexter Sr. (knee) and DB Jaylon Johnson (illness) are listed as questionable.

Lions vs Bears: Final injury report medical analysis plus IR update

Lions vs Bears: Final Week 16 injury report medical analysis plus Detroit IR update

The Lions were due for some good news on defense and they got it with the returns of Ifeatu Melifonwu and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, although only Melifonwu has a chance to play this Sunday. Trevor Nowaske will also return from his concussion.

The Bears had a surprise on Friday when starting CB Jaylon Johnson came down with an illness. There were a couple offensive line concerns in Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins, but they trended upward over the course of the week and may play.

The Lions IR-list has been changing on a daily basis so scroll down for the up-to-the-moment analysis.

Here are some general IR rules strategies to keep in mind:

  • Placing a player on IR means they can’t play for four games. They also can’t start their 21-day practice window until after those four games.
  • Players who start their 21-day practice window immediately after the 4-game IR stint may not need their entire window and could be medically ready to play immediately. For example, Alim McNeill last year played in his first eligible game after being on IR for his MCL.
  • Players who don’t start their 21-day practice window immediately after the 4-game IR stint presumably are expected by medical to need most or all of their entire 21-day window before playing.
  • The Lions might use up all 10 of their IR-return slots for this season. Thus any further injuries to key players that could return this season might not be placed on IR to preserve the IR-return slots. David Montgomery is an example of this. These players will simply be one of the gameday inactives.

 

DETROIT LIONS

Out – Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB, neck (UL LP LP)

JRM was hurt November 3, placed on IR, and started his 21-day practice window on December 19. The injury was initially reported by the Lions as a shoulder but ended up being a neck.

He missed only six weeks which reassures that he did not have a serious spinal injury. While he is eligible to play this weekend, he’ll likely use most if not all of the practice window. The week-18 Vikings game is 16 days away so that game or the playoffs are the likely return dates.

Out – David Montgomery RB, knee (NP NP NP)

Knuckles had a roller-coaster of a week regarding his status. The initial reported injury was an MCL. Early in the week, Dan Campbell stated he was going to have season-ending surgery. Then later in the week, it was decided that he would not have surgery and would try to rehab and return this season.

The fact that at least one doctor thought he needed surgery suggests this isn’t a straightforward partial (grade 1 or 2) MCL tear. Indications for surgery can include an unstable complete (grade 3) tear, a distal tear, avulsion, ligament entrapment, or multi-ligament tear.

Medical science is often a gray area and ever-evolving, so it is common to have differing opinions about the best way to manage an injury. Also, each form of management (surgical vs non-surgical) has its pros/cons so there is often not a definitive right or wrong way to proceed.

With the Lions poised to max out their 10 IR-return slots already, Montgomery may not be placed on IR even if his injury is projected to take >4 weeks.

Questionable – Brian Branch S, calf (NP LP LP)

Branch reached for his right leg late in the 4th quarter which could have been when he hurt his calf. He finished the game with a slight limp. In the prior game vs the Packers, he had calf cramping at the end of the game which is probably unrelated. A calf strain could cause some missed time and Brandon Joseph would likely take his place. The 2xLP suggests it’s not too serious.

Questionable – Graham Glasgow OG, knee (NP NP LP)

Glasgow played 100% of snaps vs the Bills, and I didn’t see any obvious knee issue. He may have also injured a knee in week two but hasn’t missed a game this year. With only a single LP, it might be wise to give him a game off. Christian Mahogany may get a start as he was the one to fill in when Kevin Zeitler went out briefly two weeks ago vs the Packers.

Questionable – Ifeatu Melifonwu S, hand (FP FP FP)

The previous “finger” listing turned into a “hand”. Regardless, he started his 21-day practice window immediately after his four-week IR stint which means he could be ready to play this weekend.

In – Frank Ragnow C, back (NP NP FP)

Ragnow played 100% of the last game but wasn’t his typical elite self. Perhaps a back issue is the reason. Good to see it’s not too serious.

In – Trevor Nowaske LB, concussion (FP FP FP)

Nowaske suffered his concussion in practice last week, but he has passed through the 5-stage protocol and is ready to play.

IN – Rest designation thus no injury

Taylor Decker
DJ Reader
Za’Darius Smith
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Kevin Zeitler

NOTABLES

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Played with “food poisoning” last game and stated on his podcast that he was vomiting. Medically, this is likely infectious gastroenteritis which is usually not serious but can cause dehydration and weakness. Typically, it resolves within 2-3 days so there shouldn’t be any dehydration issue for this weekend.

Emmanuel Moseley

Dan Campbell today stated: “This is the best week he’s had since coming back from the injury.” Moseley has not played in the past three games which could be due to his hamstring strain three weeks ago. With Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey out, Moseley may get his first action at CB this year after missing most of the year with a pec rupture in August.

IR LIST STATUS UPDATE

Returning soon

  • Alex Anzalone, left forearm fracture 11/17 – I’m surprised that his 21-day practice window did not open this week as I felt like the final regular season game (Vikings) was a likely target. The forearm was expected to take 6-8 weeks and the Vikings game is seven weeks post-injury and only 16 days away. The playoffs start in 22 days so even if that is the target, starting the 21-day window this week could have made sense. Forearm fractures heal very reliably so a setback is unlikely but not impossible. Hopefully, we see his window open early next week.
  • Kalif Raymond, left foot 11/24 – Initial reports were to expect him by the start of the playoffs. With the playoffs starting in 22 days, his practice window will hopefully open next week.

Early playoffs at best

  • Ennis Rakestraw, hamstring 11/23 – Eligible to return this week vs the Bears but his 21-day practice window did not open. This implies he is at least three weeks away.

Late playoffs is possible

  • Carlton Davis, jaw fracture 12/15 – Initial estimated recovery of six weeks would put him at the NFC championship game, but Dan Campbell today stated: “It doesn’t look optimistic to get him back”. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Aidan Hutchinson, left tib/fib fracture 10/13 – Expecting very limited action in the Super Bowl. Hutchinson has significant expected atrophy in his legs so it all depends on how quickly rehab goes. In 3rd year of 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.

Not expected to return

  • Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unlikely to be back. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • John Cominsky, MCL surgery – On December 18, Dan Campbell stated he was unlikely to return this season. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
  • Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
  • Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Kyle Peko, left pec – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Mekhi Wingo, right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.

IR return count (5 of 10 used)

  • Lions have used 5 of 10 returns with Brodric Martin, Moseley, Reeves-Maybin, and Melifonwu twice. At this point, the last 5 will likely go to Anzalone, Raymond, Rakestraw, Davis, and Hutchinson who all could be back by the Super Bowl.
  • During the regular season, the Lions can only use a max of 8 returns but that’s not an issue as Davis and Hutchinson won’t be ready until the playoffs.

CHICAGO BEARS

Out – Ryan Bates OL, concussion (NP NP NP)

Bates might be a starter but has only appeared in three games this year and has missed the last four games. He’ll be out again.

Doubtful – Travis Homer RB, hamstring (UL UL LP)

Homer is mainly a special teams player this year.

Questionable – Jaylon Johnson CB, illness (UL UL NP)

Most common illnesses like respiratory infections or “food poisoning” can resolve within two days. Losing this quality starting CB would be a big deal. The Lions receivers are healthy and could take advantage.

Questionable – Braxton Jones OL, concussion (NP FP FP)

Jones is the starting LT and missed last game with this concussion. The FPx2 suggests he has passed through the concussion protocol and is ready to play.

Questionable – Teven Jenkins OL, calf (NP NP LP)

Jenkins is the starting LG. He played 96% snaps last game.

Questionable – Gervon Dexter DL, knee (NP NP LP)

Dexter is a starting DT who leads the team in sacks with five. He missed last game and seems likely to miss another.

In – Darrell Taylor DL, shoulder (FP FP FP)

Taylor is a backup DE who appeared to hurt his left shoulder last game.

In – Roschon Johnson RB, concussion (FP FP FP)

Johnson has missed the last two games but is ready now. He has 139 rushing yards on the year behind starter D’Andre Swift.

 

 

Will Ifeatu Melifonwu play this week? Injury updates for Lions DB

Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is dealing with a hand injury. Here are the latest updates ahead of Week 16

Will Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu make his 2024 season debut in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears?

The oft-injured safety has spent the entire season on the Lions’ injured reserve list, with two separate stints dating back to the beginning of the season. After suffering an ankle/heel injury in the second preseason game, Melifonwu was sidelined until November. The Lions designated the fourth-year safety for return and activated him, only to subsequently place him back on I.R. the very next day with a hand injury.

Melifonwu has once again been designated to return and practiced this week, ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Bears in Chicago. Based on what head coach Dan Campbell said this week, it seems unlikely we’ll see Melifonwu on Sunday.

Ifeatu Melifonwu injury update

Melifonwu was listed as a full participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. He remains on the team’s I.R. as of Friday’s practice.

Here’s what Campbell said prior to Friday’s practice about Melifonwu:

 “Yeah, I mean, so much of this was about getting his legs back under him, getting him comfortable this week. We’re not closed to that; I’m not closed to that, I just – he’s gotten a little better every day and he’ll go out there today and practice and we’re working him in some stuff – just see where he’s at. But it’s good to have him back and it’s good to see him out there, functioning, working the position, and so that’s a good thing.”

He is officially listed as questionable on the Lions’ final injury status report.

How long will Melifonwu be out?

With his 21-day activation window opening on Monday, the Lions could keep Melifownu shelved until the Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, if needed. He is eligible to be activated at any time.

Lions safety depth chart

Melifonwu was expected to be the third safety, playing in packages behind starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. In training camp and preseason, Melifonwu played primarily in the box and against offensive sets with multiple tight ends.

That role hasn’t really been used much by the Lions in the 2024 season. Linebacker Ezekiel Turner has served in that sort of capacity for the last two weeks. The only reserve safety on Detroit’s active roster is Brandon Joseph, who plays primarily on special teams. Undrafted rookie Loren Strickland is on the team’s practice squad.

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John Cominsky unlikely to return this season, says Dan Campbell

Cominsky injured his knee in training camp and the hope was he’d be able to return by the postseason, but that doesn’t look like it’s happening

Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave injury updates this week and the news wasn’t all that great for defensive end John Cominsky.

Cominsky tore his MCL back in July. Initially, there was some hope he would be able to return at some point during the season. Campbell’s words this week, this late in the season, threw cold water on those hopes.

“I think it’s unlikely,” Campbell said abut the chances of Cominsky returning this season. “Man, he’s tried. He’s been rehabbing, he’s doing it. It’s just trying to get over that last little hump here. It’s been tough. He’s been doing everything he can, and those guys are doing a heck of a job rehabbing him, trying to get him back. But I think it’s unlikely.”

The Lions have endured a plethora of injuries overall, but particularly at the defensive end position. In addition to Cominsky, Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes have also suffered injuries. There’s a chance Hutchinson can return if the Lions reach the Super Bowl. The others are not expected to return this season or in the playoffs.

Cominsky is in his third season with the Lions. Detroit claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. In two seasons with the Lions, Cominsky has six sacks in 30 games (19 starts) with 66 total tackles. For his career, he has played in 57 games (20 starts) and has recorded 107 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

The Lions injury report from Thursday shows considerable improvement

The Lions injury report from Thursday shows considerable improvement, with several players returning after missing Wednesday’s session

It’s still not nearly as clean as hoped for, but the Detroit Lions practice participation report for Thursday’s session looks a lot more promising than Wednesday’s first edition.

After nine players were idle on the first practice of Week 16, all but three returned in some capacity to Thursday’s practice. Two of the three who remained out are starting offensive linemen, however.

Left guard Graham Glasgow and center Frank Ragnow both remain sidelined. Glasgow is listed with a knee injury, while Ragnow has a back malady. The injury status could help explain the substandard performances from both in the Week 15 loss to Buffalo.

The other player remaining out is running back David Montgomery, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with an MCL injury. Montgomery and the Lions are still in the evaluation process on how to handle his torn knee ligament.

Safety Brian Branch upgraded from out with a listed calf issue on Wednesdsay to full participant on Thursday.

Five players who rested on Wednesday returned in full:

LT Taylor Decker
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
DT DJ Reader
RG Kevin Zeitler
EDGE Za’Darius Smith

It was also the first sighting of LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He’s been on I.R. for several weeks but has started his 21-day activation window. Reeves-Maybin, a key special teams player as well as subpackage LB, was limited with his neck injury.

Another player designated to return from I.R., safety Ifeatu Melifonwu made it through a second straight practice as a full participant. He’s missed the entire season with an ankle injury and a subsequent hand injury that forced the Lions to activate him — only to immediately place him back on I.R. His second activation window began on Monday.

 

 

Lions vs Bears: Initial injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Bears: Initial injury report and medical analysis for the Week 16 matchup

The last game vs the Bills was a brutal one for the Lions as three players were placed on IR (Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis, and Khalil Dorsey) with another one pending (David Montgomery).

There are still three regular season games left with the valuable #1 seed in play. It will be interesting to watch the snap counts of key players going forward.

The Bears have a couple injuries along the offensive line to watch this week.

DETROIT LIONS

David Montgomery RB – knee (NP)

Montgomery is reported to have an MCL sprain that is severe enough to be considering surgery.

Dan Campbell today and Montgomery yesterday both stated that the decision regarding his injury is pending. Presumably the decision is between 1) getting season-ending surgery, or 2) seeing if it can heal on its own well enough to return this season.

Most MCL injuries, even complete tears, can heal without surgery, so there may be a complicating factor such as a distal tear, avulsion, ligament entrapment, or multi-ligament injury.

Brian Branch S – calf (NP)

Branch reached for his right leg late in the 4th quarter which could have been when he hurt his calf. He finished the game with a slight limp. In the prior game vs the Packers, he had calf cramping at the end of the game which is probably unrelated. A calf strain could cause some missed time so keep an eye on his practice status over the course of this week.

Graham Glasgow OG – knee (NP)

Glasgow played 100% of snaps vs the Bills, and I didn’t see any obvious knee issue. He may have also injured a knee in week two but hasn’t missed a game this year.

Trevor Nowaske LB – concussion (FP)

Nowaske suffered his concussion in practice last week but the FP means he should play on Sunday.

Ifeatu Melifonwu S – hand (FP)

The previous “finger” listing has turned into a “hand”. Regardless, he is starting is 21-day practice window immediately after his four-week IR stint which means he could be ready to play this weekend.

REST designation thus no injury

Taylor Decker
Frank Ragnow
DJ Reader
Za’Darius Smith
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Kevin Zeitler

NOTABLES

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Played with “food poisoning” last game. Medically, this is likely infectious gastroenteritis which is usually not serious but can cause dehydration and weakness. Typically resolves within 2-3 days so there shouldn’t be any issue for this weekend.

Alim McNeill

Placed on IR with ACL tear. Expected return around November 2025.

Carlton Davis

Placed on IR with jaw fracture. Could be back in six weeks for NFC championship game.

Khalil Dorsey

Placed on IR with ankle/leg fracture. No chance of return this season but good chance to be recovered by start of next season.

IR LIST STATUS UPDATE

Returning soon

  • Alex Anzalone, left forearm fracture – I’m surprised that his 21-day practice window did not open today. I was expecting him to be ready by the Vikings game which will be seven weeks post injury and only 18 days away. There is still a chance he could start practice later this week, but if he doesn’t, then we might not see him until the playoffs.
  • Kalif Raymond, left foot – Expected by the start of the playoffs. His 21-day practice window is eligible to open next week and should open next week.

Early playoffs at best

  • Ennis Rakestraw, hamstring – Eligible to return this week vs the Bears but his 21-day practice window did not open today. This means he won’t play this weekend and may be more than three weeks away.
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin, neck – Eligible to return anytime but has not had his 21-day practice window opened yet. This implies he is at least three weeks away. He is signed through the 2025 season.

Late playoffs is possible

  • Carlton Davis, jaw fracture – Initial estimated recovery of six weeks would put him at the NFC championship game. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Aidan Hutchinson, left tib/fib fracture – Expecting very limited action in the Super Bowl. Hutchinson has significant expected atrophy in his legs so it all depends on how quickly rehab goes. In 3rd year of 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.

Not expected to return

  • Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unlikely to be back. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • John Cominsky, MCL surgery – On December 18, Dan Campbell stated he was unlikely to return this season. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
  • Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
  • Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Kyle Peko, left pec – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Mekhi Wingo, right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.

IR return count

  • Lions have used 4 of 10 returns with Brodric Martin, Emmanuel Moseley, and Ifeatu Melifonwu twice. With 6 potential candidates, it’s unlikely the Lions will run out of return slots unless more players go on IR.
  • David Montgomery’s status is up-in-the-air and if he could return in a few weeks, the Lions may decide to carry him on the active roster instead of using up an IR-return slot.

CHICAGO BEARS

Braxton Jones OL – concussion (NP)

Jones is the starting LT and missed last game with this concussion. The NP means he might miss another.

Teven Jenkins OL – calf (NP)

Jenkins is the starting LG. He played 96% snaps last game.

Gervon Dexter DL – knee (NP)

Dexter is a starting DT that missed last game and might miss another.

Ryan Bates OL – concussion (NP)

Bates has only appeared in three games this year and has missed the last four games.

Darrell Taylor DL – shoulder (FP)

Taylor is a backup DE who appeared to hurt his left shoulder last game.

Roschon Johnson RB – concussion (FP)

Johnson has missed the last two games but looks to be ready. He has 139 rushing yards on the year behind starter D’Andre Swift.

 

Aidan Hutchinson says he’s ‘on track’ to return for the Super Bowl

Injured Lions star EDGE Aidan Hutchinson says he’s ‘on track’ to return for the Super Bowl

Amidst a series of devastating defensive personnel losses due to injury, the Detroit Lions desperately need some hope. Aidan Hutchinson, one of the first of many Lions defenders lost this season, offered up some of that hope.

In an interview with actor (and Lions fan) Taylor Lautner on the podcast Lautner does with his wife (also named Taylor), Hutchinson continued with his assertion that he would be able to return for a Lions appearance in the Super Bowl.

“I’m on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl,” Hutchinson said. “And so, I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the (Lions) facility, ‘you’ve just to get there. And I promise you I’m going to be back’.”

The NFL Network show Football Morning in America shared a clip of the exchange:

 

Hutchinson suffered a broken shin in the Lions win over Dallas on October 13th. He had surgery and has been rehabbing with the hope of being able to return deep in the postseason. The Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans on February 9th, just under four months after Hutchinson got injured. That’s on the very early end of the expected 4-to-6 month rehab for the injury.

Lions DB Ifeatu Melifonwu ‘clock starting’, need to get him running around

Dan Campbell says he sees Ifeatu Melifonwu ‘clock starting’, needs to get him running around

The Lions have been dealt blow after blow with injuries in recent weeks, but one injured player could soon be returning to help make a playoff push.

Head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the status of safety Ifeatu Melifonwu Monday and if he’ll be back soon. Melifonwu is eligible to return to practice and be activated this week.

Campbell said: “I see his clock starting, and so then it’s ‘Well, OK, that’s good.’ We get him out at practice, do we think he could help us as early as Sunday? I don’t know that right now, and I won’t until we get him out there running around a little bit.”

Campbell briefly mentioned Melifonwu as an option to fill at cornerback following the injuries to Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey. Campbell was also asked if Melifonwu could see time at linebacker.

“Yeah, tough to say,” Campbell said. “I mean he could, depending on if we’re talking about base downs, third downs, is there a place, a role, is it – I wouldn’t shut that down. I think wherever we feel like he can help, we’re open to it.”

Melifonwu has yet to appear in a game this season due to multiple injuries. After missing the first three games with an ankle injury, Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve, only to suffer another injury in November and go right back on injured reserve.

Detroit Lions I.R. list status update after the Bills game

Breaking down the Detroit Lions I.R. list status update after the Bills game

Three more Lions defenders will almost certainly land on IR after the Bills game – Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis, and Khalil Dorsey. Unfortunately, all of them are long-term injuries with Davis being the only one with a chance to come back this season.

David Montgomery also sustained a more-serious-than-expected knee injury (MCL) that will require surgery and put him out for the year.

At some point (maybe now), the Lions will need to calculate if they have enough IR-return slots remaining, and if they should carry short-term injuries on the active roster instead of putting them on IR. I explain more at the end of this article.

Returning soon

  • Alex Anzalone, left forearm fracture – Expect his 21-day practice window to open this week with a possible return to play in week 17 vs the 49ers or week 18 vs the Vikings.
  • Ifeatu Melifonwu, left finger – Today (Monday), Dan Campbell stated that his 21-day practice window would open this week. This means he could play this Sunday vs the Bears.
  • Kalif Raymond, left foot – Expected by the start of the playoffs. His 21-day practice window should open after this week’s Bears game.

Early playoffs at best

  • Ennis Rakestraw, hamstring – Eligible to return this week vs the Bears. Dan Campbell on Monday implied that his 21-day practice window would not open this week. This suggests he is at least three more weeks away.
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin, neck – Eligible to return anytime but has not had his 21-day practice window opened yet. This implies he is at least 3 weeks away. At this point, his earliest projected return would be in the playoffs. Dan Campbell on December 9 corroborated a multi-week timeline stating he’s “better… There’s a chance we could get him in a few weeks.” While there are no details about his neck injury, this update is reassuring that it isn’t anything overly serious. He is signed through the 2025 season.

Late playoffs at best

  • Carlton Davis, jaw fracture – Initial estimated recovery of six weeks would put him at the NFC championship game. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Aidan Hutchinson, left tib/fib fracture – Expecting very limited action in the Super Bowl although Jay Glazer reported that the NFC championship game is a possibility. Hutchinson has significant expected atrophy in his legs so it all depends on how quickly rehab goes. In 3rd year of 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.
  • John Cominsky, MCL surgery – Initial estimate projected a January return at best. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unlikely to be back. Unrestricted free agent after this year.

Not expected to return

  • David Montgomery, right MCL surgery – No details yet but hopefully he will be fully recovered for the start of next season.
  • Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
  • Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
  • Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Kyle Peko, left pec – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Mekhi Wingo, right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.

NFL IR RETURN RULES AND STRATEGY

Lions can return as may IR players as they want in the playoffs as long as it doesn’t add up to more than 10 for the entire year (regular season 8 + playoffs 2). So far, the Lions have returned four – Brodric Martin, Emmanuel Moseley, Ifeatu Melifonwu twice.

Expect Anzalone and Raymond to take two spots and Hutchinson to have a spot reserved for him just in case. This leaves just three returns left with four defenders (Rakestraw, Davis, Reeves-Maybin, Cominsky) being the likely options.

If the Lions feel that all four defenders can return, then it is possible that an offensive player like Raymond could be sacrificed to help the defense. Or the Lions could avoid that decision entirely by not putting Davis on IR and  carrying him on the active roster. He would just be one of the seven inactives on gameday every week.

There are still three games left in the season so more injuries are possible, and more short-term injured players may need to be carried on the roster.

Report: David Montgomery out with a torn knee ligament

Lions RB David Montgomery is out with a torn knee ligament suffered in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, per Ian Rapoport

The injury hits keep coming for the Detroit Lions in the wake of the team’s Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. According to a report from Ian Rapoport, Lions running back David Montgomery is now out with a torn MCL.

Montgomery is still undergoing more tests, but the initial report of an MCL tear would end the running back’s season, including the postseason.