Detroit Lions 2026 IR PUP NFI Tracker

The up-to-date summary of the Lions IR/PUP/NFI lists for 2026. (RTP = return-to-play in game.)

Eligible RTP dates:

• Week 5 (Oct 11) vs Cardinals - Isiah Pacheco, Cade Mays, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Gio Manu

• Week 6 Bye

• Week 7 (Oct 25) vs Packers

• Week 8 (Nov 1) vs Vikings - Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper

• Week 9 (Nov 8) vs Dolphins

• Week 10 (Nov 15) vs Patriots

• Week 11 (Nov 22) vs Bucs - Ben Bartch, Tom Kennedy, Devin White

RTP day after window opened:

• Cade Mays (wrist): pending

• Brian Branch (Achilles): pending

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Injured Reserve - eligible to return

• Devin White, LB (Forearm fracture - Oct 11): Expect full recovery within 8 weeks with no issues. Projected RTP week 12-13.

• Tom Kennedy, WR (MCL - Oct 11): Planned surgery. Out for season.

• Ben Bartch, OG (Foot): Placed on IR Oct 16. Had already missed 3 straight games. Concern for setback of Lisfranc which had surgery December 2025. I would not expect a return this season. Another foot surgery would not be surprising.

• Thomas Harper, S (Ankle): Placed on IR Sep 26. Uncertain diagnosis. Concern for a recurrent ankle from preseason. Projected RTP uncertain.

• Avonte Maddox, S (Left foot - Sep 17): Surgery done. Almost certainly out for season.

• Isiah Pacheco, RB (Back ~ mid-August): Surgery for nerve impingement. Placed on IR Sep 1. Projected RTP December at best.

• returned Cade Mays, C (Wrist fracture - Aug 9): Opened practice window on Oct 7. Projected RTP Week 5 or 7.

IR returns:

1. Cade Mays

IR rules: There is no limit to the number of players that can be placed on IR. Not eligible to return if placed on IR before final roster cutdown. Must stay on IR for minimum 4 games. Only 8 “designated-to-return” allowed during regular season, plus bonus 2 if team makes playoffs.

Injured Reserve - NOT eligible to return

Note: If waived/released from IR with injury settlement, could return to team same season without using IR-return slot.

• Kendrick Law, WR (ACL - June 2, 2026). Should be ready for 2027 OTA.

• Miles Kitselman, TE (Unspecified leg - Aug 2, 2026): Waived with injury settlement. Re-signed to practice squad on Sep 28.

• Anthony Firkser, TE (Fibula fracture - Aug 3, 2026): Waived with injury settlement.

• Lawrence Keys, WR (Hamstring -Aug 3, 2026): Waived with injury settlement.

• De’Shawn Rucker, WR (Ankle injury - Aug 6, 2026): Waived with injury settlement.

• Aidan Keanaaina, DT (Unknown injury - August 10, 2026): Waived.

• Kye Robichaux, RB (Foot fracture - Preseason Game 1, Aug 13, 2026): Played until end of game with no obvious problem. Makes Jones fracture a possibility. Waived with injury settlement.

• Loren Strickland, S (Left leg injury - Preseason Game 1, Aug 13, 2026): Possible calf/Achilles. Waived with injury settlement.

• Cedrick Wilson, WR (Video suspicious for left knee PCL - Preseason Game 2, Aug 22, 2026): Released with injury settlement.

• Raheem Blackshear, RB (Unknown injury - Preseason Game 2, Aug 22, 2026): Played until end of game with no obvious injury. Released with injury settlement.

• Damone Clark, LB (Unknown injury): Placed on IR Aug 25.

• Payton Turner, EDGE (Back injury - July, 2026): Placed on IR Aug 27.

• Michael Niese, OG (Right knee suspected MCL - Aug 22): Cleared waivers, then to IR, then waived again.

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

• Kerby Joseph, S (L knee since July 2025): reserve/PUP. Projected RTP uncertain.

• Giovanni Manu, OT (unknown): reserve/NFI. Expect 3+ month recovery. Projected RTP Nov-Dec.

• Brian Branch, S (R Achilles - Dec 4, 2025): reserve/PUP. Opened practice window Oct 7. Projected RTP Week 7.

• Tyler Conklin, TE (calf strain): PUP. Missed end of OTA and minicamp. Came off PUP on August 6.

• Christian Mahogany, OG (unknown): Non-football injury list. Came off NFI on July 31.

• Christian Izien, DB (“flu”): Non-football illness list. Came off NFI August 2.

PUP rules: Must be placed on list at start of camp. Can be removed from list at any time during camp, but can’t go back on the list. At final cutdown, can be placed on reserve/PUP and thus must miss at least the first 4 games. Can open 21-day practice window after Game 2. NFI rules are the same.

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See what the final 2025 season IR/PUP/NFI tracker looked like…