2023 Revisited: Lions Top 10 Injury News with Present Updates
This breakthrough season was just a play away from the Super Bowl
The Lions 2023 season was a blessed one from both a health and performance standpoint. The team finished 12-5 in the regular season, earning a home playoff game. In an epic Ford Field environment, the Lions won their first playoff game since the 1991 season by beating the Rams 24-23.
In the next round, the Lions defeated the Buccaneers 31-23 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game where the Lions jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead over the 49ers. In the second half, multiple critical mistakes by the Lions and great plays by the 49ers resulted in a 34-31 loss.
Here were the Top 10 Injury News of that incredible 2023 season with where-are-they-now updates…
#1 James Houston ankle fracture
September 17, 2023:
James Houston was coming off an electrifying rookie season with eight sacks. Unfortunately, a devastating ankle fracture in Week 2 may have altered his career. He spent half the next season with the Lions before being released.
Where are they now: During the 2025 season with the Cowboys, Houston played all 17 games and totaled an impressive 5.5 sacks. It’s great to see him making plays again, even if it’s for the ‘Boys. Houston is signed with the Dallas through the 2026 season.
#2 Sam LaPorta knee scare
January 7, 2024:
This TE rookie sensation had Lions fans holding their collective breath when his left knee bent the wrong way in the regular season finale. Improbably, LaPorta did not miss a game and played in all three playoff games that season.
Where are they now: LaPorta’s knees have been fine since, but currently he is trying to recover from a herniated disc injury as he enters the final year of his rookie deal…
#3 Overall excellent team health
A massive reason for the Lions’ success in 2023 was excellent health and reliability. There were only three major, long-term injuries:
Emmanuel Moseley - ACL
CJ Gardner-Johnson - Pec tear
James Houston - Ankle fracture
The phenomenal rookie class of Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch all stayed healthy and available throughout the season.
Where are they now: After enjoying excellent health in 2023, the Lions sustained a devastating number of injuries in 2024 and 2025…
#4 Emmanuel Moseley ACL
October 8, 2023:
Moseley tore an ACL for the second straight season. His presence could have been an outcome-changer in the playoff game vs the 49ers.
Where are they now: In the next season, Moseley tore his pec in Lions’ training camp and only appeared in two games. He has not played in an NFL game since.
#5 Alim McNeill MCL
December 3, 2023:
McNeill suffered this MCL sprain halfway through the game, but somehow was tough enough to finish the game. After the game, he was placed on IR and missed the next four games.
If this play looks remarkably similar to the one that caused Aidan Hutchinson’s leg fracture, you would be correct.
Where are they now: In the next season, McNeill tore his ACL. He is fully healthy now and is poised to have a big 2026 season.
#6 CJ Gardner-Johnson pec tear
September 17, 2023:
In Week 2, CJGJ was hurt in the now-infamous “ski mask” game. He rehabbed efficiently and was able to return for Week 18 and the playoffs.
Where are they now: Gardner-Johnson moved on after the season and bounced around from the Eagles to the Texans to the Bears. Currently, he is with the Buffalo Bills who the Lions will face in Week 2 of the 2026 season.
#7 Jonah Jackson multiple injuries
October 8, 2023:
November 12, 2023:
January 21, 2024:
Multiple injuries to various body parts led to a rough season for Jonah Jackson causing six missed games in total.
Where are they now: Jackson moved on to the Rams in 2024 but only started four games that season. He then reunited with Ben Johnson with the Bears for the 2025 season and displayed excellent durability by playing in 19 of 19 games. He remains signed with the Bears through the 2027 season.
#8 No concussions during regular season & playoffs
Incredibly, there were no diagnosed concussions during the regular season and playoffs. Only Penei Sewell had a concussion during training camp. This was another bit of fortune in a blessed season.
Where are they now: Sewell has not suffered a concussion since. However, in each of the next two seasons, the Lions had six diagnosed concussions.
#9 Mohamed Ibrahim hip dislocation
October 22, 2023:
This freak injury resulted in an immediate transport to the hospital where his dislocated hip was put back into place (reduced).
The major ongoing concern with this injury is a 5-10% chance of avascular necrosis (death of bone due to lack of blood flow), which typically presents within five years.
Where are they now: In a good sign for his health, Ibrahim signed with the Vikings during 2024 training camp. However, he was waived four days later and has not been in the NFL since.
#10 Frank Ragnow’s painful year
November 23, 2023: Left knee meniscus
January 21, 2024: Suspected left MCL and left high ankle sprain
Ragnow missed just two games with his meniscus tear and another game due to a calf injury.
Where are they now: All these injuries added up as Ragnow retired before the 2025 season. An attempted comeback was thwarted by a curious hamstring, which earned the #7 spot on the 2025 Top 10 list…
Currently, Ragnow is almost certainly retired permanently from the NFL.
For the medical report on the Lions long-term replacement for Ragnow…
Lions Free Agency 2026 Day 1 medical review: Cade Mays C, Larry Borom OG/OT
The free agency official negotiating period started on March 9. (The unofficial negotiating period started weeks, maybe months, earlier.) So now we have news about who is going where in free agency. Technically, none can be signed until March 11 but it’s very unlikely for minds to change between now and then.