Detroit Lions 2025 IR/PUP/NFI final summary

IR-return slot management and return-to-play data

Another year, another slew of injuries. During the 2025 season, I tracked the IR/PUP/NFI lists throughout the year. Here is the final data. Enjoy it, you masochist…

That really hurts. Hit me again.

-Fight Club

Detroit Lions 2025 IR (injured reserve) takeaways

• The secondary was hit extremely hard as all starters landed on IR (Joseph S, Branch S, Arnold CB, Reed CB), along with multiple reserves (Dorsey CB, Rakestraw CB, Thomas S, Jackson S). That’s 8 secondary players in total who went on IR.

• In 2025, the Lions used 7 regular-season IR-returns out of the maximum 8. Wright may have returned for Week 18 if the Lions were still in the playoff hunt. (In 2024, Lions used 7 IR-returns during regular season and 1 during playoffs.)

• The Lions did a good job managing the IR-return slots. The handling of Pat O’Connor was a creative way to avoid using a slot (released with injury settlement then re-signed). The same could be said of Ahmed Hassanein (waive & re-sign).

Return-to-play after window opened (Median 16 days)

• 4 days - Khalil Dorsey (wrist)

• 12 - DJ Reed (hamstring)

• 12 - Christian Mahogany (fibula)

• 14 - Daniel Thomas (forearm fracture)

• 14 - Shane Zylstra (knee)

• 16 - Marcus Davenport (pec/shoulder)

• 20 - Alim McNeill (ACL)

• 27 - Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL)

• 30 - Miles Frazier (knee)

• did not return to play in 2025 season - Gio Manu (knee)

• did not return to play in 2025 season - Josh Paschal (back)

PUP (physically unable to perform) / NFI (non football injury)

• Alim McNeill, DT (ACL) - PUP. Returned to play Oct 20 (Day 20 of window)

• Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (ACL) - PUP. Returned to play Nov 23 (Day 27 of window)

• Josh Paschal, EDGE (back) - NFI. Window opened Nov 5. Was not activated which ended his season.

• Miles Frazier, OG (knee) - PUP. Returned to play Dec 4 (Day 30 of window).

IR (injured reserve) - eligible to return during season

(Rules recap: There is no limit to the number of players that can be placed on IR. Must stay on IR for minimum 4 games. Only 8 are allowed to return during regular season plus bonus 2 for the playoffs. )

Eligible return dates:

• Week 13 vs Packers (Nov 27): Zach Cunningham

• Week 14 vs Cowboys (Dec 4):

• Week 15 vs Rams (Dec 14): Sam LaPorta

• Week 16 vs Steelers (Dec 21):

• Week 17 vs Vikings (Dec 25)

• Week 18 vs Bears (Jan 4): Terrion Arnold, Brock Wright

IR returns: 7 - Manu, Mahogany, Zylstra, Thomas, Reed, Davenport, Dorsey

IR players:

• Trystan Colon, OG (wrist) - Placed on IR Jan 3.

• Kerby Joseph, S (left knee) - Placed on IR Dec 20. Last played Oct 12.

• Brian Branch, S (Achilles, Dec 4) - Achilles surgery and out for season.

• Brock Wright, TE (trachea, Nov 23) - Unknown prognosis, but was seen working out on fields in mid-December.

• Terrion Arnold, CB (right shoulder, Dec 1) - Right shoulder surgery and out for season.

• Sam LaPorta, TE (back, Nov 9) - Herniated disc surgery and out for the season.

• Pat O’Connor, DT (knee, Nov 2) - Placed on IR Nov 14, then released with injury settlement on Nov 15. Signed back to practice squad on Dec 8.

• returned Christian Mahogany, OG (suspected left fibula fracture, Nov 2) - Returned to play on Dec 21 vs Steelers (Day 12 window).

• Zach Cunningham, LB (hamstring, Oct 20) - In his first game back from a hamstring first suffered at the end of September, he presumably injured it again. Seen working on the side on Dec 18.

• returned Giovanni Manu, OT (knee, Oct 9) - Presumably hurt himself in practice. Window opened on Dec 17. Did not return during season.

• returned Khalil Dorsey, CB (left wrist, Oct 3) - Returned to play Nov 23 (Day 4 of window)

• returned DJ Reed, CB (left hamstring, Sep 28) - Returned to play Nov 23 (Day 12 of window)

• returned Daniel Thomas, S (forearm fracture, Sep 22) - Returned to play Nov 9 (Day 14 of window)

• returned Marcus Davenport, EDGE (right pec strain & possible shoulder, Sep 14) - Returned to play Nov 27 (Day 16 of window).

• returned Shane Zylstra, TE (suspected right high ankle sprain + knee, Sep 14) - Returned to play Dec 14 (Day 14 of window).

• Jamarco Jones, OT (ankle, Sep 4) - Eligible to return anytime, but was ruled out for season.

• Ezekiel Turner, LB (Achilles, Aug 23) - Eligible to return anytime but did not return. Note: there is uncertainty whether Turner was actually designated eligible to return on the cutdown date.

IR - NOT eligible to return during season (key players listed)

• Ennis Rakestraw, CB (shoulder)

• Levi Onwuzurike, DT (ACL) - technically placed on reserve/PUP

• Kenny Yeboah, TE (unspecified)

• Colby Sorsdal, OG (leg)

• Justin Herron, OT (arm)

• Dan Jackson, S (leg)

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For the offseason concern meter for all returning Lions including the decimated secondary, see my story…