Tag: injury prognosis

Lions vs Colts: Wednesday injury report medical analysis

Lions vs Colts: Wednesday injury report medical analysis of the practice participation report for both teams

In their last game, the Lions lost Alex Anzalone for a few weeks due to a forearm fracture. Fortunately, the Wednesday report offers no other significant injuries coming out of the Jaguars game (see my postgame report for injury videos).

While the Colts injury report is short, they are hurting along the offensive line with two starters on IR, another starter who missed last game with a knee, and another starter with a new foot injury.

DETROIT LIONS

Estimated report since the team only had a walkthrough.

Sam LaPorta TE (shoulder – FP)

After missing one game with a left AC joint sprain, Dan Campbell stated on Wednesday that LaPorta is “questionable to above… it’s trending the right way”. While the FP is only an estimate, it strongly suggests LaPorta will be playing on Sunday.

Carlton Davis CB (thumb – FP)

Davis broke his left thumb last week in practice and played the entire first half vs the Jaguars in a thumb splint. He was pulled for the second half presumably as a precaution. The FP today confirms that there was no significant aggravation of the thumb and he’ll play vs the Colts.

Allen Robinson WR (Gameday Concussion Protocol Evaluation – FP)

Robinson hit his head late in the Jaguars game and was slow in getting up. The FP today would mean he was not diagnosed with a concussion and should be available on Sunday.

Shane Zylstra TE (neck – FP)

Zylstra left the Jaguars game late in the fourth quarter. The video did not show anything serious, but a neck listing is always concerning for a spinal issue. The FP today reassures that it’s not spinal and most likely just a soft tissue strain.

Emmanuel Moseley CB (pec – FP)

Moseley tore his pec in August and opened his 21-day practice window on November 6. Expect him to remain in the practice window through the weekend and moved to the active roster early next week before Thanksgiving.

NOTABLES

Ifeatu Melifonwu

Having yet to play this year, here is his timeline:
-August 17: Suspected Achilles tendonitis
-September 28: Placed on IR
-November 6: Practice window opened
-November 14: Finger injury showed up on injury report
-November 18: Activated off IR temporarily
-November 19: Back on IR presumably for the finger injury
-December 22: Eligible to return vs Bears

Brodric Martin

This second-year player suffered a right knee hyperextension on August 24 and has yet to play this year. As expected, he was activated to the roster on Tuesday from his IR practice window. That doesn’t mean he’s going to play this weekend though. It still depends on his overall physical/mental readiness and where the coaches view him on the depth chart.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Estimated report since the team only had a walkthrough.

Bernhard Raimann LT (knee – NP)

This starting LT missed last game with an unspecified knee injury. The NP on Wednesday does not bode well for the weekend.

Braden Smith RT (foot – LP)

This starting RT has played every game this year but the foot is a new listing. Let’s see if he downgrades or upgrades over the week.

Tyquan Lewis DE (elbow – FP)

Lewis has not played in the last seven games while on IR. He had his 21-day practice window opened just today which makes it very unlikely he’ll play vs the Lions.

Michael Pittman WR (back – FP)

Pittman has been dealing with a back issue for a few weeks. He still played in their last game and should play again on Sunday. He has 35 catches for 412 yards on the year.

NOTABLES

Ryan Kelly, starting center, is on IR and has missed the last two games.

Will Fries, starting OG, is on IR and has missed the last six games.

What’s the outlook for Alex Anzalone and his forearm fracture?

Breaking down the medical outlook at prognosis for return for Lions LB Alex Anzalone after he broke his arm in Week 11

Alex Anzalone injured his left forearm on November 17, 2024, late in the 2nd quarter vs the Jaguars.

Diagnosis

Dan Campbell confirmed a left forearm fracture postgame. The forearm comprises two bones – radius and ulna. Either or both could have been broken.

Mechanism

Anzalone’s left forearm was forcibly trapped between 2 players. Being trapped created a leverage point causing the bone(s) to break.

Prognosis

Anzalone will likely have surgery using plate and screws to fix the bone(s) with an initial estimated recovery of 6-8 weeks as relayed by Dan Campbell. The bone(s) should be fully healed in that 6-8 week timeframe.

Long-term outlook

The forearm bones heal reliably well and there is unlikely to be any damage to the elbow or wrist joints based on the video. There is a small chance that the metal hardware can cause chronic pain and may need to be removed down the road. Overall, there are no long-term concerns for his arm or his level of play.

When can we expect a return to the field?

Anzalone will almost certainly be back for the playoffs with a good chance of being available for the final 1-2 regular season games. A six-week timeline would have him play in the second-to-last regular season game on Monday Night Football, December 30, vs the 49ers. The final regular season game is January 5 vs the Vikings.

Returning earlier than six weeks is a realistic possibility also. In 2023, Dallas Goedert of the Eagles had a similar-looking forearm fracture and returned in five weeks with a protective brace. An extreme example is Thomas Davis in 2016 who returned in two weeks for the Super Bowl wearing a 3D-printed brace. Players will push the envelope for the Super Bowl which is something we may see later with Aidan Hutchinson.

Returning before the bone is fully healed carries an increased risk of re-injury. This may have happened with Rob Gronkowski in 2013 when he returned in six weeks from a forearm fracture only to fracture it again two weeks later.

For the Lions, the priority is to have Anzalone healthy for the playoffs, so I expect them to play it safe and have him return around the 6-8 week mark when the bone is fully healed.

As with all injuries, return to play depends on factors beyond health including game importance, player importance, and quality of backups. If the playoff seedings are already locked in, Anzalone might see some extra time off.

Impact on team

The Lions will certainly miss this starting linebacker on the field. He is the fastest defender among the front seven with good coverage ability and the speed to contain mobile QB’s.

While Anzalone’s injury will hurt the team now, it may actually help the team later. As Anzalone expressed on X, a silver lining of an arm injury is that he will come back with “fresh legs”.

When he returns, the forearm may not be as strong, but the rest of his body will be healthier, stronger, and faster than it is now. Anzalone’s injury will weaken the team over the next few weeks, but will likely strengthen the team during the playoffs.

Lions vs Jaguars: Final injury report and medical analysis

Lions vs Jaguars: Final injury report and medical analysis for the Week 11 matchup in Detroit

For the Detroit Lions who are mathematically at >99% to make the playoffs, the balance of playing vs resting players is rightfully getting nudged towards the side that helps with playoff performance.

With an 8-1 record, the Lions have earned the opportunity to rest minor playable injuries and employ selective load management. That strategy may have been a factor in the decision to sideline Taylor Decker last week and Sam LaPorta this week. There is still the extremely valuable #1 seed bye up for grabs so keeping the foot on the regular season gas does have playoff benefits.

The Jaguars are on the opposite side of the mathematical spectrum with a <1% chance of making the playoffs. But they may end up with the same answers as the Lions to the “play vs rest” question.

While the Lions are focusing on the 2025 playoffs, the Jaguars are focusing on the 2026 playoffs. Key long-term players like Trevor Lawrence, who is considering season-ending AC joint surgery, may decide to sacrifice the present for a better future.

During the week, the Lions had a new minor injury to Carlton Davis who broke his thumb, and an upgrade with Taylor Decker’s shoulder. Overall, the Lions active roster is in good health.

The Jaguars have multiple offensive skill players dealing with injuries including their #1 QB, #1 RB, and #1-3 WR’s. The team’s injury report is lengthy with many limited practices, but most of the players will be in.

DETROIT LIONS

Carlton Davis CB (hand UL LP FP – In)

Davis said he broke his thumb in practice but will play through with a cast. No concerns here, but a repeat 2-interception performance will be more challenging.

Ben Niemann LB (ankle UL UL NP – Questionable)

Presumably, Niemann hurt his ankle in practice. An NP on Friday means he’s likely out on Sunday. He played 19% of defensive snaps last game which was 4th amongst linebackers.

Sam LaPorta TE (shoulder NP NP NP – Out)

LaPorta suffered a left AC joint sprain last game which Dan Campbell has called “day-to-day”. Letting him rest is a good idea not just for the AC joint but in case of any residuals from his previous injuries this year:
• hamstring (preseason)
• right low ankle sprain (week 3)
• possible right knee hyperextension (week 7)

Taylor Decker OT (shoulder LP FP FP – In)

Decker suffered a rotator cuff strain in practice last week and missed the last game. Good news that it is minor and he’ll be playing on Sunday.

Malcolm Rodriguez LB (ankle LP FP FP – In)

After missing two games with a left ankle sprain, Rodriguez is ready to go.

Brodric Martin DT (knee FP FP FP – Out)

After a right knee hyperextension in preseason, Martin had his 21-day practice window opened on October 30. Expect him to be moved to the active roster next week by November 20.

Ifeatu Melifonwu S (ankle/finger FP LP NP – Out)

The downgrade is a concern. Hopefully, it is only related to the finger injury and not an aggravation of a suspected Achilles tendonitis. Defensive backs can play through finger dislocations or fractures (see Carlton Davis) so the finger shouldn’t impact his timeline.

Melifonwu’s practice window opened November 6 which means he should move to the active roster by November 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

Emmanuel Moseley CB (pec FP FP FP – Out)

Recovering from his torn pec in August, Moseley’s 21-day practice window opened November 6. Like Melifonwu, Moseley should move to the active roster before Thanksgiving.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Trevor Lawrence QB (shoulder NP NP NP – Out)

A left, non-throwing, AC joint sprain will keep the Jaguars’ starting QB out for a second straight game. He may even decide to call it a season and get AC joint surgery. Mac Jones, who was 14/22 for 111 yards last week in a 12-7 loss to the Vikings, will start again.

Tank Bigsby RB (ankle NP NP NP – Out)

The Jaguars #1 RB with 519 yards has been dealing with an ankle issue for 2-3 weeks and aggravated it last game. Expect Travis Etienne, who has 298 yards, to get the bulk of the carries.

Maason Smith DT (ankle LP LP LP – Questionable)

This 2nd-round rookie has missed the last four games.

Keilan Robinson RB (toe FP FP FP – Questionable)

With 3x FP, this 5th-round rookie should be available, but he has yet to play this year.

Ezra Cleveland LG (ankle LP LP LP – Questionable)

This starting LG missed the last two games but might be ready to return this Sunday.

Brian Thomas WR (chest LP LP LP – In)

The Jaguars #1 WR with 607 yards hurt his ribs two weeks ago but has been playing through. He only had 2 catches for 12 yards last game though.

Gabe Davis WR (shoulder LP LP LP – In)

Davis hurt his shoulder three weeks ago but did return to play last week with 1 catch for 19 yards. He is the team’s 4th-leading receiver with 236 yards on the year.

Josh Hines-Allen DE (shoulder LP LP LP – In)

This star pass-rusher has five sacks on the year.

Blake Hance OL (knee LP LP LP – In)

Hance started last game at LG and may start again if Ezra Cleveland can’t go.

Brandon Scherff RG (knee LP LP LP – In)

This starting RG has not missed a game this year.

D’Ernest Johnson RB (hamstring LP LP LP – In)

Johnson is 3rd on the team with 114 rushing yards this year.

Tyson Campbell CB (shoulder LP LP LP – In)

Campbell missed a few games with a hamstring earlier in the year but has started the last four games.

Daniel Thomas S (hamstring LP LP LP – In)

This backup has not played a defensive snap the past four games.

NOTABLES

Christian Kirk, the Jaguars 2nd-leading WR, was placed on IR two weeks ago with a broken clavicle.

Lions post-Week 10 injury report and medical analysis

Lions post-Week 10 injury report and medical analysis after the win in Houston and getting ready for Week 11 and the Jaguars

I just returned from Houston where I voluntarily and eagerly overdosed on smoked brisket and Tex-Mex fajitas. Conversely, I involuntarily and begrudgingly overdosed on watching interceptions. At least the final result was a panacea.

Other notes from the stadium:

  • The Texans Battle Red helmets looked fantastic with the mirror red finish. The Lions silver helmets look much shinier and sparkly in person than they do on TV. With the Lions blueberries, this could have been a gorgeous color rush game but alas.
  • The roof was open for only the second time since 2021 which afforded a nice view of the moon and the fireworks. Fortunately, there was not even a hint of wind as that could easily have changed the outcome of the game with how tight Jake Bates’ field goals were to the uprights.
  • Credit to the Texans fans for being raucous all game and the Lions fans for bringing the heat in the fourth quarter. It was an excellent Sunday night atmosphere all the way around.

The game was overall a very healthy one for the Lions. Nothing live at the game jumped out to me from an injury standpoint. There were some minor concerns upon TV review, but the initial injury report is reassuring. The main concern was Sam LaPorta and there is early good news with him.

DETROIT LIONS

Sam LaPorta TE (NP) shoulder

LaPorta suffered a left AC joint sprain. Dan Campbell on Wednesday called it “day-to-day”. If this was the playoffs or a significant regular season game, I would fully expect him to play. Since it’s not, I expect him to miss at least this Sunday vs the Jaguars. There is no long-term concern though.

Taylor Decker OT (LP) shoulder

Decker stated he had a rotator cuff strain in practice last week. He has a history of shoulder labrum surgery in 2017 to the same side. Fortunately, the signs are that this is a minor, short-term issue. Dan Campbell on Wednesday stated “I feel better about having Decker this week… I think he’s going to be able to make it”.

Malcolm Rodriguez LB (LP) ankle

After two straight weeks of NP’s, upgrading to an LP on Wednesday is a good sign that he may be ready to go after missing two games.

Brodric Martin DT (FP) knee

After being on IR all year with a right knee hyperextension, Martin had his 21-day practice window opened on October 30. Expect him to be out for the Jaguars game and moved to the active roster early next week.

Ifeatu Melifonwu S (FP) ankle

Coming off IR with a suspected Achilles tendonitis, Melifonwu’s practice window opened November 6. He’s very likely out on Sunday but should be moved to the active roster before Thanksgiving.

Emmanuel Moseley CB (FP) pec

Recovering from his torn pec in August, Moseley’s 21-day practice window opened November 6. Like Melifonwu, he’s also likely out this Sunday but will move to the active roster before Thanksgiving.

Za’Darius Smith DE (FP) personal

Smith got a personal bye week after the trade and should be raring to go this week.

NOTABLES

Graham Glasgow in the first drive vs the Texans landed on his head and got up shaking his head. This was not shown on TV but I noticed it at the game. Fortunately, there has been no concussion diagnosis.

Carlton Davis in the 3rd quarter got kneed hard in the back of the right lower leg and limped off the field. This was likely just a contusion as he returned to play. Direct impact to that area can lead to a much worse outcome as we saw with Aidan Hutchinson’s tib/fib.

Alim McNeill appeared to be having right TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain in the 3rd quarter. I reviewed video of the play as well as multiple previous plays of his and didn’t see any trauma to that area. Possibly, he just bit down hard and injured that joint. He was able to return to the game and should be fine going forward. Most TMJ pains will resolve on their own without significant treatment. Injecting the joint is an option to relieve pain and inflammation.

Terrion Arnold, on the Lions final defensive play, had his right ankle area banged a couple times which left him limping off the field. Good to see him unlisted which means it’s likely just a contusion.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Trevor Lawrence QB (NP) left shoulder

Lawrence missed last game with a non-throwing AC joint sprain and will also miss the Lions game. Mac Jones was 14/22 for 111 yards last game vs the Vikings.

Tank Bigsby RB (NP) ankle

Bigsby is the Jaguars #1 RB this year with 519 yards. He has been having an ankle issue the past 2-3 weeks and aggravated it last game. With an NP, there is a good chance he’ll get some time off which would mean Travis Etienne Jr. (298 yards) likely takes the bulk of the carries.

Brian Thomas WR (LP) chest

Thomas, the Jaguars #1 WR, hurt his ribs two weeks ago but hasn’t missed a game. Expect him to play on Sunday.

NOTABLES

Christian Kirk, the Jaguars 2nd-leading WR, is on IR with a clavicle fracture suffered two weeks ago.

Here is the full report:

 

Lions Monday medical report after victory over Titans

Breaking down Detroit Lions injuries and medical outlooks from the Week 8 win over the Titans, including Malcolm Rodriguez and Jared Goff

For the Lions this week, déjà vu was a double-edged sword. After another blowout victory, the Lions unfortunately had an injury to another front-seven defensive player in Malcolm Rodriguez. The last time the Lions blew out a team (Cowboys), they lost Aidan Hutchinson and Kyle Peko.

The game was otherwise a healthy one — although you never want to see your QB limping. Fortunately, the injury to Jared Goff does not appear significant.

On Monday, Dan Campbell in his press conference was not asked and did not comment on any injuries in this game.

Here are the injuries I saw along with suspected diagnoses:

Malcolm Rodriguez (1q 12:57) left ankle sprain

On Rodrigo’s first play which was punt coverage, a Titans player crashed into him from the side which likely caused an eversion injury to his left ankle. Eversion injuries can cause high ankle sprains or medial ankle sprains.

He was taped up and returned to the game for one more play which was kickoff coverage. During that play which was his last, his ankle was clearly not stable as it gave out on him.

Immediately after the game, Dan Campbell tentatively stated: “I don’t think it’ll take the rest of the season.”

An update on Monday by @Schultz_Report provided significantly better-than-expected news in that it’s a only minor ankle sprain and he’s expected to miss just one game. That means he should be back for Sunday Night Football vs the Texans.

Jared Goff (1q 7:47) right low ankle sprain

Credit to the Fox broadcast for alerting us to the moment of this injury as it was almost imperceptible in real-time. In slow motion, you can see the right ankle suffer a mild inversion which can cause a low ankle sprain.

A low ankle sprain, if not severe, can be taped and played through. That’s what happened here as Goff returned with a tape job and didn’t miss any plays until garbage time.

Goff may be sore this week and may even have limited or no practice days, but he should play vs the Packers without significant limitations.

Kalif Raymond (4q 8:15) head trauma

After a monster day, Raymond had his head slammed onto the turf. He was holding his head with both hands briefly and was slow in getting up. There were no signs of fencing or loss of consciousness which would have definitively signaled a concussion.

While he didn’t return to the game for garbage time, he did pass the sideline concussion evaluation and seemed fine after the game. He’s not out-of-the-woods yet as delayed concussion symptoms are possible and generally require self-reporting. If we don’t hear anything in the next couple days, Raymond should be a full-go vs the Packers.

Could Aidan Hutchinson really return for the Super Bowl?

Could Aidan Hutchinson really return for the Super Bowl? Breaking down the medical outlook with Dr. Jimmy Liao

The Super Bowl is a long ways away, but Lions fans don’t often get the opportunity to dream like this so let’s do it. With the increasing chatter that Aidan Hutchinson might play in the Super Bowl, here are my thoughts.

Why might Hutchinson NOT play in the Super Bowl?

  • He will only be partway through his rehab and won’t be at full strength physically.
  • His effectiveness may be very limited and worse than his replacement.
  • Theoretically, he might be putting himself at increased injury risk.

Here are the reasons why Hutchinson WILL play in the Super Bowl

  • All indications suggest an uncomplicated tib/fib fracture that doesn’t affect the ankle or knee joints. Healing should be relatively straightforward. The reported estimated timeline is 4-6 months with the Super Bowl coming in at just under 4 months (17 weeks).
  • There is no way to quantify injury risk, so opinions will vary, but it is reasonable to believe that his injury risk over baseline will be minimal, if any. With the Super Bowl 17 weeks from the time of injury, the bone will almost certainly be well-healed by then in a young, healthy individual. Further injury to the bone should not be an issue. There will be atrophy and weakness of the legs being only partially into rehab, but whether the leg weakness would cause increased injury risk is far from definite.
  • Players will absolutely come back earlier than they are ready for the opportunity to play in a championship game. Some notable examples are Terrell Owens in 2005 who played in the Super Bowl seven weeks after an ankle fracture, Jaylen Waddle who was still hobbling from a similar ankle fracture in the 2021 college national championship game, and Philip Rivers who played with a torn ACL in a conference championship game.
  • Even if there is an increased risk of injury, many if not most will accept the risk for a possible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a Super Bowl. After all, players are already accustomed to being exposed to a high baseline risk of injury in every routine NFL game. A slight added risk will not be much of a deterrent.
  • Even if there is an aggravation of his injury or a compensation injury, Hutchinson will have seven months to recover before the next season starts. Yes, there is the risk of a long-term injury (Achilles, ACL, etc.) but that risk is ever-present and not necessarily increased by coming back early. The risk may even be decreased with less power in his legs.
  • Nobody in the NFL is 100% during the season, much less at the end of the season. Players are all dealing with physical ailments and weaknesses. Expecting Hutchinson to wait until he is at full strength isn’t a reality or a necessity.

Here are the reasons why the Lions will open a roster spot and let Hutchinson play in the Super Bowl

  • Hutchinson is one of the most important players on the team going forward – arguably the second most important player behind Jared Goff. The Lions invested a #2 overall pick in him, and he has quickly lived up to that status. At his current pace, he could end up being one of the greatest to ever don a Lions uniform. Maintaining a good relationship with this level of player is important, and that means giving him the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl.
  • Hutchinson has a long recovery ahead of him and having a Super-sized pot of gold at the end of the rainbow will be excellent for his mental health. He’ll still be able to feel like he is a part of this year’s team. Maintaining positive mental health should always be a major factor in any player decision.
  • Even if the Lions don’t think he’ll be effective physically, he could still make a difference as a decoy or distraction to the opposing offense. The opponent won’t know his physical status so they may expend resources to double team him or chip him even if he doesn’t deserve it.

Bottom Line

Unless there is a setback in his recovery, expect Hutchinson to play in the Super Bowl. Expectations for his performance should be tempered, though, as he will still be early in his recovery, and it will likely be his first game back.

During the game, Hutchinson’s strength, burst, quickness, and stamina will be limited, and he won’t play his usual 90% of snaps. Hopefully he makes a big impact, but even if he doesn’t, his appearance will still be an uplifting result with long-term benefits for the team and the player.

Aidan Hutchinson leg injury: Medical analysis and outlook

Aidan Hutchinson leg injury: Medical analysis and outlook from Dr. Jimmy Liao

On October 13, 2024, the Lions lost their most important defensive player in Aidan Hutchinson. Video is consistent with a left tibia and fibula fracture (tib/fib).

The mechanism of this injury can be due to a leg whip action which is what happened here. In this case, Hutchinson’s left leg whipped around and impacted Alim McNeill’s tibia.

Remarkably, this is not the first time a collision of McNeill and Hutchinson at the QB has caused a significant injury. Last year in week 13 vs the Saints, Hutchinson’s left leg also whipped around and hit McNeill in the knee spraining McNeill’s MCL.

McNeill was subsequently placed on IR and missed four games while Hutchinson avoided injury during that incident.

If you compare the two videos, they are eerily almost identical. Warning: graphic.

Should Hutchinson do anything differently in the future?

Given that this dangerous leg whip mechanism has occurred at least twice, it would be a good idea for Hutchinson and the Lions to do a thorough film review to see how often it is happening compared to other elite edge rushers.

Regardless of the findings, it is worth looking into adjusting his technique at the point of contact with the QB to stop that leg from whipping around.

Other cases of tib/fib fractures

MMA fans have seen similar leg whip (kicking) mechanisms cause tib/fib fractures to Anderson Silva, Conor McGregor, and Chris Weidman.

In basketball, this injury has been seen with Paul George and Kevin Ware.

A recent example that University of Michigan fans are aware of is OL Zak Zinter who suffered a tib/fib in November 2023 while at Michigan. He was still drafted in the 3rd round and was available for the start of this season. His mechanism of injury was that of a player falling onto his leg causing a leverage point on his hard knee brace.

Michigan fans may also vividly remember RB Fitzgerald Toussaint who had a tib/fib fracture in November 2012. He was able to return for the start of the next season.

Other NFL examples include WR Tyler Lockett who in December 2016 had a compound tib/fib fracture which means the skin was lacerated by the bone. He was able to return for the start of next season.

In September 2021, OL Nick Gates had a tib/fib fracture that required multiple surgeries due to setbacks. He returned in October of 2022.

In November 2018, QB Alex Smith suffered an infected tib/fib fracture that led to a well-documented, arduous recovery. He did not return to play until October 2020.

Early reports for Hutchinson

  • Multiple reports state that it is not a compound (open) fracture.
  • Hutchinson has already had surgery. Emergent surgery was expected so no surprise there.
  • There is a report from Nolan Bianchi and Richard Silva of the Detroit News in which a source says there is a chance he could return for the Super Bowl on February 9, 2025.

What do these early reports mean?

  • The fact that this was not a compound fracture is excellent early news. A compound (open) fracture is where the broken bone lacerates the skin. The skin wound carries a risk of infection which can dramatically complicate things as evidenced by Alex Smith.
  • With talk of a chance of return for the Super Bowl, that implies that there were no immediate complications such as nerve damage or vascular (blood vessel) damage.
  • There is a small chance of compartment syndrome developing in the next couple days. The doctors will be keeping a close eye on this because it is a medical emergency. Compartment syndrome is when severe swelling of the calf cuts off blood flow thus damaging the leg.

OUTLOOK

The typical timeline for an uncomplicated tib/fib fracture is 6-9 months which means there is a very good chance Hutchinson will be ready in plenty of time for training camp.

The Super Bowl, which is less than 4 months away, apparently is not ruled out yet. Having a same-season target is fantastic for a player’s mental health regardless of if he makes it back or not.

While the injury looks gruesome, these bones tend to heal very well. Importantly, the injury does not appear to involve the ankle or knee joint thus the important cartilage and ligaments of those joints are preserved. If there is no joint involvement, the long-term ramifications of the injury are minimized.

There may be a mental hurdle to overcome since this is at least the second time he has had a violent, leg-whip collision at the QB. Hutchinson may spend some time refining his technique to build confidence and avoid a recurrence in the future.

If Hutchinson can overcome the mental obstacles and possibly tweak his technique, expect him to return to his elite form sometime in 2025 with no long-term concerns.

What Lions fans should watch in the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday Night Football

The Lions play the Cowboys in Week 6, but first the injury-ravaged Cowboys play the Steelers on Sunday night

Lions fans get an early October treat on Sunday night. Coming off a big win over the Seahawks, we get to revel in the bye weekend by watching our next opponent, the Cowboys, play in a standalone national game vs the Steelers.

What will be especially intriguing to watch is how the Cowboys compensate for the loss of multiple significant players from last week. Making it directly relevant is these players will also likely all be out for the Lions game. I’ll run down these injuries as well as what to watch for during the game.

Micah Parsons, DE – left high ankle sprain

Parsons hurt his left high ankle last week and left the game. On video, it didn’t appear too serious but even a mild high ankle can sideline a player for longer than you might expect because of the instability it causes in the joint. What will delay his return even more is that Parsons elite game involves bending and quick cuts off the edge which require tremendous ankle strength and flexibility.

Leading up to the game this week, Parsons had three NP’s (no practices) and was ruled out. The lack of any practices along with the type of injury suggests it’s unlikely he’ll play against the Lions next week.

Demarcus Lawrence, DE – right foot Lisfranc

Like Parsons, Lawrence was hurt last week and left the game. While Parsons has an outside chance to play vs the Lions, Lawrence has no chance as he has already been placed on IR. His Lisfranc injury is expected to be a 4-8 week recovery.

Brandin Cooks, WR – knee joint infection

Cooks played the whole game last week, but after the game, had a knee injection that caused a knee infection. On Saturday October 5, Cooks was placed on IR which means he’s out for the Lions game.

The fact that Cooks was getting injections for his knee means that there is some underlying problem with the knee. This by itself could warrant some time off. Dramatically compounding the problem is the joint infection which can cause significant swelling, loss of range of motion, and full body symptoms like fever and malaise.

The joint infection requires IV antibiotics and drainage of the joint. In Cooks case, a knee scope procedure was performed to drain the infection as well as trim the meniscus. The aforementioned knee injection may have been to control pain and inflammation due to a torn meniscus. That’s a lot of things going on in a knee thus the move to IR.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON SUNDAY NIGHT

How will the Cowboys perform without two star edge rushers? Will they be able to generate a pass rush without them and will they increase their blitzing? Filling their void will be Marshawn Kneeland, a 2nd-round pick this year with no sacks, and Chauncey Golston, a 4th-year player with 4.5 sacks in his career.

While Brandin Cooks hasn’t been overly productive this year with just nine receptions for 91 yards, it will be interesting to see how the Cowboys adjust to his absence. In addition to star WR CeeDee Lamb, who put up 227 yards vs the Lions last year, there may be increased targets for Jalen Tolbert who has 13 receptions for 160 yards this season. Minimally utilized WR’s KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Brooks could see more action also.

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.

Lions injury videos from the Cardinals game

Breaking down when the Lions injuries occurred and how they happened in the Week 3 win in Arizona

Unfortunately, the Lions suffered many injuries in the Cardinals game. Some were obvious at the time, some were not. Credit the players for battling through.

Here are the injury videos in chronological order. The initial injury report won’t be out until Thursday, so we’ll get more clarity then and hopefully won’t have any more surprises.

Dan Skipper 1q 14:16 right torso

Skipper might have landed on the defender’s elbow which could have caused a rib or torso contusion/strain. He was able to finish the game.

Terrion Arnold 1q 6:07 right knee

Hopefully, this is just a simple knee contusion but a mild sprain is possible. Arnold returned to the game and played well.

Ragnow 1q 1:51 left pec strain

Ragnow finished the game and was wearing a brace in the second half. See my article for more details about his outlook. 

Derrick Barnes 2q 12:07 right knee

Barnes left the game and has been placed on IR. Video suggests it could be an MCL sprain.

Sam LaPorta 2q 00:29 right low ankle sprain

Good chance LaPorta will be available on Monday but ankle won’t be fully healed.

Alim McNeill 2q 00:17 shoulder

McNeill might have hurt his left AC joint when he landed on the ground. Dan Campbell called it day-to-day.

Marcus Davenport 3q 6:45 left elbow

Video showed Davenport’s forearm getting chopped down while his elbow was in flexion. This could cause an elbow flexor tendon tear of the biceps or brachialis. He continued to try to play with an elbow brace but was hampered. He has been placed on IR and reportedly is out for the season.

Brian Branch 4q 6:06 concussion

Hopefully, we see Branch have a limited practice on Thursday but taking a game off might be a good idea.