The Detroit Lions enter the week very healthy and a road favorite… just like last week, and that didn’t go so well. Hopefully, the Lions can figure things out on defense before facing the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. I don’t need any Jacoby Brissett “MVP” chants in my life.
For those considering going to the game in Glendale, Arizona, I fully encourage it. The Cardinals’ stadium is one of my favorite places to go watch a Lions game, ranking 3rd in this year’s extremely official rankings…
What boosted my experience in Arizona was I just happened to be sitting next to Kalif Raymond’s mom, who gifted us Kalif’s victory gloves. Thanks, Kalif’s mom!
The Lions won’t have Kalif or his gloves or his mom helping them this time, since he is now playing for the Bears.
As for the initial injury report, the big news is that Brian Branch and Cade Mays have opened their 21-day practice window. I expect Branch to not play until Week 7, while Mays has a good chance to play this Sunday (Week 5). For my detailed reasoning, visit my story from yesterday…
Surprises are also always something to watch for on the initial injury report. Fortunately, there were no big surprises this week.
Lions vs Cardinals Initial Injury Report
🔴No practice (NP)
🟡Limited practice (LP)
🟢Full practice (FP)
*Current starter
DETROIT LIONS (line -5.5, open -5)
🔴 *Tyleik Williams, DT - Foot
Projection: Out
Here is the obscured video when Tyleik may have hurt his foot. You can see him get up limping…
He was spotted in a boot after the game which typically means either a foot or ankle injury. A foot injury is generally more concerning than an ankle, due to the wider range of long-term possibilities. A reason for optimism is that Tyleik finished the game without any apparent disability.
Hopefully, he gets up to a LP later this week, which would signify a short-term injury.
🔴 Rock Ya-Sin, CB - Hamstring
Projection: Out
The severity of Ya-Sin’s hamstring is unknown. Even if the hamstring is mild, he’s very likely out this week partly due to his standing on the depth chart. He only played special teams snaps last game.
🔴 Ben Bartch, OG - Foot
Projection: Out
Having missed the past two games, Bartch is entering his third week of no practices. As I’ve stated the past couple weeks, this foot remains concerning for a possible setback of the Lisfranc that required surgery last December. I had him on IR-watch two weeks ago, and in retrospect, maybe he should have just gone on IR.
🟡 *Cade Mays, C - Right wrist fracture (August 9)
Projection: Toss-up
You can see a difference in protective equipment between the two wrists. It was his right wrist that was fractured.
At two months post-injury, the fracture should be totally healed at this point. There may be a strength deficit, but it should be something he can play through. There is a realistic possibility that he plays on Sunday. Let’s see if he gets up to a FP by the end of the week.
🟡 *Brian Branch, S - Right Achilles (December 4, 2025)
Projection: Out
It’s hard to tell if there is any right calf atrophy in the video. From the side, the right calf looks strong and defined. From the back, the right calf may be slightly atrophied compared to the left. Regardless, this is not a concern. His strength will build back quickly with an expected return-to-play on October 25 vs the Packers.
I agree that there appears to be a slight limp. But this could simply be a mental hurdle to overcome. I’m not concerned about it. It’s been over 10 months since the injury and Lions’ medical has cleared him.
In other Branch news, he revealed today that the surgery he had in the 2024 offseason was to his toe. You can see him using a scooter for his left foot here in 2024 (ignore the other guy in the photo to prevent a sudden fit of rage)…
In addition to the left toe injury a couple years ago, Branch had a right toe injury last season, so his toes have been through it lately.
🟡 *DJ Wonnum, EDGE - Back
Projection: In
Wonnum was on the injury report last week with a back injury, but got up to 2 FP by the end of the week and played 48% of defensive snaps. With an early-week LP, he should be ready for Sunday.
Notables Unlisted
🟢 *DJ Reed was “questionable” last week with a rib injury, and played in the game with no problems.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
🔴 *Isaiah Adams, RG - Ankle
Head coach Mike LaFleur has already ruled Adams out.
🔴*Budda Baker, S - Rest
🔴Jordan Burch, LB - Personal
🔴*Isaac Seumalo, OL - Rest
🔴*Josh Sweat, LB - Rest/groin
🔴*Andrew Wingard, S - Knee
🟡*Jeremiyah Love, RB - Ankle
🟡Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S - Back
Notables Unlisted
🔴 Chase Bisontis, OG - This 2nd-round rookie had MCL surgery in August and is out for the season.
🔴 *Paris Johnson, LT - This starting LT is out for the season with a torn biceps suffered in Week 4.