Lions 2026 Minicamp Injury Watchlist Part 1: Recovering Players
Which players have a chance to upgrade their health status at minicamp?
The Detroit Lions mandatory minicamp runs from June 16-17. It’s the final offseason activity before training camp, which means it may be the last health update we’ll get for a few weeks.
Today, in Part 1 of the minicamp watchlist, are 10 players who were limited or out at the end of OTA due to various maladies. These players are ranked starting with the most likely to get an upgrade in health status.
Tomorrow, Part 2 will focus on players who are fully active after recovering from significant injury, but carry lingering question marks - like Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez, DJ Reed, and Thomas Harper.
#1 Ennis Rakestraw, CB
Injury status: Illness (June 2026)
Minicamp expectations: Likely full participation.
After shoulder surgery in August 2025, this 3rd-year CB has been healthy this offseason... until a minor illness kept him out in the final week of OTA.
#2 Rock Ya-Sin, CB
Injury status: Illness (June 2026)
Minicamp expectations: Likely full participation.
This 30-year-old CB came through huge last season, and may need to be ready to do so again. He’s had a healthy offseason except for a minor illness in the final week of OTA.
#3 Tyler Conklin, TE
Injury status: Unknown
Minicamp expectations: Uncertain.
This soon to be 31-year-old TE was not present at the end of OTA for unknown reasons. A routine contagious illness that affected multiple other Lions is a pretty good possibility.
Conklin’s medical report reveals him to be very healthy and reliable in his career, which is probably why the Lions targeted him as a free agent.
#4 Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Injury status: Unknown
Minicamp expectations: Uncertain.
It’s uncertain why Bridgewater was missing at the end of OTA. His medical report had no medical concerns heading into this season, but his age (33) is starting to creep up.
This grizzled veteran doesn’t need much practice time, if any. In 2024, he skipped almost the entire season, but still played in the Lions playoff game vs the Commanders and completed all his passes (ok, just 1 for 1).
#5 Terrion Arnold, CB
Injury status: Two shoulder surgeries (December 2025)
Minicamp expectations: Limited practices as precaution.
The shoulder should be mostly recovered by now. Arnold had some limited practices at OTA which is a good sign that he is on track to start the season.
#6 Ben Bartch, OG
Injury status: Lisfranc surgery (December 2025)
Minicamp expectations: No practice.
According to Dan Campbell, Bartch is still recovering from a season-ending Lisfranc surgery, which is why he did not practice in OTA. While the absence may be precautionary, it’s still worth watching.
Lisfranc recoveries can carry uncertainty - as explained in my Bartch Medical Report where I gave him a 9/10 medical concern level.
#7 Sam LaPorta, TE
Injury status: Herniated disc surgery (November 2025)
Minicamp expectations: Walk/jog-throughs.
LaPorta was limited to jog-throughs at OTA. There isn’t much reason to aggravate the spine before the season, even though he might be able to play a game right now.
He should be ready for the start of the season as he heads into the final year of his contract. However, durability will be a concern - as explained in my Sam LaPorta Postseason Analysis.
#8 Brian Branch, S
Injury status: Right Achilles rupture (December 4, 2025)
Minicamp expectations: No practice. But there is a chance that Branch could do some rehab work on the side.
Branch is over 6 months post Achilles and did not practice in OTA. He posted some low-level rehab work recently on social media. His rehab workouts should be ramping up to sprints and jumping soon, if he hasn’t already.
Dan Campbell squashed the dreams of an early return in September. Mid-season is more realistic.
#9 Kerby Joseph, S
Injury status: Left knee injury with last game appearance on October 12, 2025
Minicamp expectations: No practice.
Joseph is in mileage-preservation mode right now, which is why he did not practice throughout OTA. This is consistent with the suspected diagnosis of articular cartilage damage - detailed in Part 2 of the Kerby Joseph Knee Analysis.
As Dan Campbell stated during OTA, we won’t see him do anything strenuous until training camp at the earliest.
#10 Kendrick Law, WR
Injury status: ACL (June 2, 2026)
Minicamp expectations: Out until 2027 OTA.
The only major injury to the team so far this offseason has been to this 5th-round rookie WR. While it’s a long 10-11 month recovery, it shouldn’t have a significant impact to the rest of his career.