The Detroit Lions (and all their fans) head into the bye in a good mood after the blowout victory over the Arizona Cardinals 45-21.
Overall, the game was favorable from a health standpoint. However, role players in Devin White and Tom Kennedy will likely be out for a few weeks.
🔴Bad news or high concern
🟡Uncertain or moderately concerning
🟢Good news or low concern
🔴 Devin White, LB (1Q 00:19) - Left forearm fracture
White was carted off and never returned. Dan Campbell confirmed a fracture after the game with likely upcoming surgery.
For reference, Alex Anzalone returned in seven weeks in 2024 from forearm fracture surgery. Expect White to go on IR with a similar timeline and be back around Week 12-13. As always, return-to-play also depends on game importance and player importance.
As Brendan noted on X, the mechanism for White and Anzalone was the same.
🔴 Tom Kennedy, WR (2Q 14:18) - Suspected right knee MCL and high ankle sprain
The official listing from the team was a knee injury. However, there was clearly a right ankle sprain as well. There was a concern for a fibula fracture here, which would extend the timeline even farther.
Postgame, Dan Campbell stated: “We’ll know a lot more tomorrow. Could be a pretty good sprain. I don’t think it’s long, long term.” This suggests that a fibula fracture has been ruled out, which is good news.
The video is concerning for an MCL and a high-ankle sprain. Severity and MRI results will determine how long Kennedy is out. A mild-moderate MCL could return within about four weeks. A high ankle sprain could have a similar timeline. There is a good chance that Kennedy goes on IR, but he should be back this season.
🟢 DJ Reed, CB (3Q 12:40) - Right arm contusion
Reed forcibly banged his right biceps on this tackle, which can cause a painful contusion. The more significant concern with this tackle mechanism is a pec injury. Fortunately, he was able to keep playing which rules out a pec rupture or other serious injury. I’m expecting him to be fine.
🟢 Blake Miller (3Q 1:45) - Left knee
I spotted Miller in a left knee brace in the 4th quarter, so I went back to review his plays. This play in the late 3rd quarter showed him getting up slowly.
Video was obscured, so it’s hard to say what happened. A mild knee sprain is a possibility. He was able to play through, which is reassuring.
🟢 Tate Ratledge - Left shoulder?
A fan at the game saw Ratledge getting evaluated for his left shoulder or arm.
Ratledge has been wearing a left elbow brace the past couple games for a mild injury. It’s hard to say if today’s issue is related. I didn’t pick up any concerns on video. He didn’t miss a snap and looked to be playing fine.
Notables
🟢Tyleik Williams was “questionable” with a foot injury. He played his normal amount and looked fine. That’s great news.
🟢DJ Wonnum has been dealing with a back issue the past two weeks but has played through. Last week, he got a sack. This week, he got two sacks. The back doesn’t appear to be slowing him down at all.