Lions 2026 Minicamp Injury Watchlist Part 2: Residual Concerns
Can these players bounce back fully from their injuries?
Yesterday, in the Lions Minicamp Watchlist Part 1, I reviewed the injury status of 10 recovering players along with their minicamp expectations.
Today, let’s review 13 players who are fully active, but still have lingering question marks coming off significant injuries. How well they can regain their previous form is still up in the air, and will be a major determinant of the success of the Lions’ season.
These players are ranked starting with the most medically concerning for the 2026 season.
#1 Thomas Harper, S
Injury: Two concussions (December 2025)
As you can see in the injury videos, both of Harper’s concussions have the same mechanism - lowering his head and taking a leg to the right side of his helmet. There are multiple concerns moving forward:
A possible lowered concussion threshold.
A prolonged absence with the next concussion.
The need to change his tackling technique which could decrease his effectiveness.
Look for Harper to focus on a heads-up tackling technique during practice.
#2 Ennis Rakestraw, CB
Injury: Shoulder surgery (August 2025)
This third-year CB gets the dubious distinction of being on both Part 1 (current illness) and Part 2 (shoulder) of the minicamp watchlist.
After two straight seasons marred by injuries, Rakestraw has reportedly added some bulk to his frame to help deal with the physical nature of the NFL.
#3 Levi Onwuzurike, DT
Injury: ACL surgery (~May 2025)
After signing a 1-year free agent deal with $3.5M guaranteed in the 2025 offseason, Onwuzurike underwent ACL surgery about a month later. The curious timing of how that played out made me question the Lions’ interest in retaining him after his contract tolled.
The fact that the Lions are giving him a chance means that the ACL recovery must be going smoothly. However, there can be a lag in full recovery from an ACL, which might make the difference between Levi making the roster or not.
#4 Giovanni Manu, OL
Injury: Knee (October 2025)
A practice knee injury wiped out the rest of Manu’s 2025 season. There are no details regarding the knee injury, but residuals are always a possibility - especially if cartilage was involved. Entering his third year, this could be make-or-break time for him.
#5 Malcolm Rodriguez, LB
Injury: Right ACL (November 2024)
A follow-up surgery delayed Rodriguez’s ACL return to the 12-month mark. This raises concern for residuals like cartilage damage.
While he played sparingly in the final seven games of 2025, his defensive snaps nicely ramped up in the final two games - a good sign heading into the 2026 season.
#6 DJ Reed, CB
Injury: Left hamstring (September 2025)
Reed missed six games with this hamstring, and appeared to struggle a bit when he returned for the final seven games. To aide his hamstring recovery, Reed stated he received stem cell treatment in Panama this offseason. However, it’s unlikely that treatment made much of a difference - explained in my PRP & Stem Cell Video.
Having a full offseason to rest and rehab is what has allowed him to be in a much better physical place heading into 2026.