The Detroit Lions finished up their 2026 preseason vs the Colts - thankfully without much drama. As expected, no starters played, thus keeping injury impact to a minimum.
Here is what I observed, along with my suspected diagnoses. Keep in mind that in preseason, the Lions are not required to report any injury information.
🔴Bad news or high concern
🟡Uncertain or moderately concerning
🟢Good news or low concern
🟢Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE - Pregame left knee wrap
Hassanein had an unspecified minor injury this past week. It might have been a left knee since he was wearing a left knee wrap during pregame and during the game.
Hassanein got lots of playing time and looked great throughout. No concerns here.
🟢Jabari Small, RB - Concussion recovery
Jabari Small played in this game, just 7 days after his concussion in the last preseason game. That makes him the fastest Lion to return-to-play from concussion in the past 3 seasons. The previous fastest was 9 days…
This news initially seemed to be a great sign heading into the season as it increased the likelihood that future Lion concussions wouldn’t miss a game… until the game started and Small appeared to suffer another concussion. As you were.
🟢Ennis Rakestraw, CB 1q 12:02 - Mild left low ankle sprain
Here, you see an inversion mechanism consistent with a low-ankle sprain. Rakestraw had an ankle injury in practice 1.5 weeks ago and may have tweaked the same ankle (it’s uncertain which ankle was injured). Rakestraw didn’t miss a snap and looked fine the rest of the game. He even picked up a nice interception.
🔴Jabari Small, RB 1q 6:28 - Concussion concern
Small got hit in the head and had trouble getting up here. The concern with coming back too early from a concussion is a lowered concussion threshold - in other words, less trauma needed to get another concussion. That appears to be what happened here.
Small never returned to the game which is strong confirmation that he indeed had a concussion. With 2 concussions in 8 days, he will likely be unavailable for a multiple weeks. Expect him to go on IR.
🟡Ekow Boye-Doe, CB 3q 5:09 - Right elbow
Boye-Doe takes a hard direct shot to his right shoulder, but I suspect the injury is actually to his elbow when it hits hard on the turf. Hope for just a simple contusion here.
🟡Aamaris Brown, S 4q 6:29- Right arm
You can see him Brown swing his right arm forcefully to make the tackle, and the hard contact with the player’s leg may have caused a painful arm contusion. He was rubbing at the biceps area and flexing his elbow afterwards. Worst case would be an arm tendon rupture.
🟢Melvin Priestly 4q 4:22 - Right calf
(credit @PCrotchington on X for the tip)
After the first play of this drive (the 4th down graphic is an error), Priestly is seen reaching for his right upper calf area. He got lost in the pile on this play and could have gotten rolled up on or landed on. He stayed in the game.
Later in the drive, he is seen on multiple occasions rubbing his upper calf area. Best case here is a mild crush injury. Also good would be a mild upper calf strain. At least it’s nowhere close to the dreaded Achilles. Worst case would be something involving the knee, but that seems unlikely.
Dan Campbell Postgame Notes
Seth McLaughlin did not play due to a concussion. By my count, that’s 5 concussions already this year (Wingo, Bartch, Small x2). Last year, I only counted 6 the entire season.
Assuming the Lions carry four running backs on the roster like they always have, I think Small is probably going to get waived and signed to the practice squad (rather than go on IR). Just like the "experts" are predicting, I think the RB room will be: Gibbs, Pacheco, Vaki, and Saylors.
We'll find out tomorrow!