Detroit Lions Free Agency 2026 Day 5: Conklin & McCreary medical review
Stacking depth at positions of injury concern
The Lions picked up two players in free agency at positions with major health concerns. Those positions are CB and TE which have many players recovering from season-ending surgeries - Terrion Arnold’s shoulder, Ennis Rakestraw’s shoulder, and Sam LaPorta’s spinal disc.
Let’s take a look at the medical concern levels of the Lions’ new additions.
For the full Detroit Lions free agent signings page, click here.
(Ages in parentheses are at the start of 2026 season.)
Roger McCreary, CB (26)
Contract: 1 year, $ unknown
Concern level 2/10
2025: 17/21 games. Groin/hip, missed 4 games on IR.
2024: 15/17 games. Shoulder injury, missed 2 games.
2023: 15/17 games. Hamstring, missed 2 games.
2022: 17 games
McCreary went on IR last season for either a hip or groin. Often, a hip injury can cause groin pain which may explain the dual listings. If the injury involves the hip joint, that could be a concern moving forward. Hopefully, it’s a simple soft tissue strain that has healed up. It’s reassuring he returned for the final 5 games of the season which included 3 playoff games.
Minor shoulder and hamstring injuries in his past are not of major concern. The shoulder could be something to watch though.
His young age is right where you want it for a free agent. The Lions have signed three CB’s this free agency (Christian Izien, Rock Ya-Sin) which is a smart move considering the returning health concerns at that position.
Tyler Conklin, TE (31)
Contract: 1 year, $ unknown
Concern level 2/10
2025: 13 games
2024: 16
2023: 17
2022: 17
2021: 17
2020: 16
2019: 16
2018: 16
College: Jones fracture left foot
Conklin doesn’t appear to have any major injuries in his past except for a remote Jones fracture in college. There is a chance of recurrence with Jones fractures but he has proven his durability since then.
There are minor ankle, hip, hamstring, ribs, and calf over his long career, but that’s pretty normal. When you look at his yearly games played, you see very good reliability.
His age is getting up there, which is probably the biggest concern. Conklin enters the season fully healthy which is important given that Sam LaPorta is coming off herniated disc surgery.
For more on Sam LaPorta’s back surgery and his outlook…