Detroit Lions May 2026 Offseason Injury Updates
Positive news on Rakestraw, Arnold, Hassanein, Jackson, Vaki, Sewell, and more
The Detroit Lions had offseason workouts over the past couple weeks, which means we got our first look at players who are recovering from injuries last season.
Here are injury updates and 2026 outlooks for key starters like Terrion Arnold, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell… along with young hopefuls like Dan Jackson, Ahmed Hassanein, and Sione Vaki.
At the end of this article, I’ll analyze the significance of three suspected absences from the offseason workouts:
Kerby Joseph
Brian Branch
Sam LaPorta
For a full team refresher of injury concerns with injury videos, view Detroit Lions 2026 Offseason Health Concern Meter: Returning Players.
Workout pictures via DetroitLions.com. (Age at start of 2026 season.)
Ennis Rakestraw, CB (24)
August 2025 - Shoulder surgery
March 2026 - Posted on Instagram…
May 2026 - Offseason workouts on his shoulders…
2026 OUTLOOK: Rakestraw will be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season (source: him). Coming off two seasons ravaged by injuries, the hope is he can break that trend and reach his 2nd-round potential.
Terrion Arnold, CB (23)
December 2025 - 2 shoulder surgeries
February 2026 - Workout video posted on Instagram…
April 2026 - Note the impressive shoulder definition on this workout video posted on Instagram…
May 2026 - Arnold states that he expects to be available for training camp.
“Before I got hurt I was getting in my groove, figuring things out,” Arnold said. “Started playing my best ball and then just dealing with that injury, nagging it, so I’m just excited to see where I’ll be at with not having any injuries and just really looking forward to being out there with my team.”
2026 OUTLOOK: Arnold was expected to be ready well before training camp, and there appear to be no setbacks.
Dan Jackson, S (25)
August 2025 - Unspecified leg injury that ended his season.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts. No brace or wrap seen on his legs…
2026 OUTLOOK: Uncertain whether there may be residuals, but Jackson should be a full-go for the season.
Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE (24)
August 2025 - Right pec strain derailed his rookie year.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: This Egyptian warrior will be fully ready to compete for a backup EDGE role.
Christian Mahogany, OG (25)
November 2025 - Left fibula fracture caused 6 missed games but able to return for final 3 games of season.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: Fibulas heal well and there are no concerns for residuals for this incumbent LG starter.
Brock Wright, TE (27)
November 2025 - Trachea injury ended his season.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: Totally healthy and ready to go. Wright’s health is very important given the uncertainty of Sam LaPorta.
Mekhi Wingo, DT (23)
November 2024 - Right knee meniscus injury with 2 subsequent knee surgeries.
2025 season - Limited to 2 appearances which could have been health related.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: Residuals are possible with a meniscus. His health and usage are something to watch in preseason. He had a couple great plays in the final regular season game but likely is on bubble watch since the team drafted 2 DT’s.
Giovanni Manu, OT (25)
October 2025 - Unspecified knee injury in practice which effectively ended his season.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: This could be a make-or-break year for Manu. Hopefully, his knee is fully healthy to give him the best opportunity to win a backup OT or “Skipper” role.
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (27)
November 2024 - Right ACL tear which needed a second surgery.
November 2025 - Returned to limited action. Gradually ramped up defensive snaps the final two games of season.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: There are concerns for residuals due to the need for a second surgery. Regardless, Rodrigo should be much more involved in 2025.
Sione Vaki, RB (25)
September 2025 - Hamstring, missed 2 games.
September 2025 - Groin, missed 4 games.
November-December 2025 - Minor ankle, thumb, and possible shoulder issue.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: Vaki’s presence at workouts makes it less likely he needed surgery for any of his many injuries last season. He will be ready to compete for backup RB snaps behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR (26)
September 2025 -Hand and/or wrist injuries may have led to an atypical number of drops for this All-Pro.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: The hands are something to watch, but he should get back to his previous elite form.
Penei Sewell, OT (25)
November 2025 - Minor left shoulder injury.
December 2025 - Suspected left high ankle sprain. Missed final regular season game.
May 2026 - Offseason workouts…
2026 OUTLOOK: His presence at workouts isn’t a surprise, but is still really good to see after missing the final game of last season. It reduces the likelihood that his shoulder or ankle got any post-season surgeries. Sewell heads into the season healthy as he transfers his All-Pro play to the LT position.
Notable omissions from workout pictures
Just as important as the Lions who were featured on the official website are the Lions who were not. This includes the 3 most concerning health issues entering the 2026 season which are recapped below. The Lions first OTA (organized team activities) starts May 27, so we may learn more about these players then.
Kerby Joseph was not seen working out in any of the pictures. Any absence of workouts is disappointing but also unsurprising given what we know about his knee - described as a “wear-and-tear” and “load management” issue by Dan Campbell. That means the less stress he puts on his knee, the better. Joseph may not start putting the knee to the test until close to the regular season.
On a positive note, Joseph has been putting out optimistic messages on social media…
Brian Branch is 5 months post Achilles rupture (December 4, 2025), which means he’s only about halfway through his recovery. The lack of workout photos is not a concern at all.
Sam LaPorta had herniated disc surgery in November 2025. It’s certainly a possibility he could be working out by now. His omission is disappointing, but not a major concern at this point. Hopefully, we see him in action at OTA’s in a couple weeks.
For a recap of the Lions most impactful injuries from last season…