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:
