Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell offseason activities and injury updates
Analysis of St. Brown’s celebrity basketball appearance and Sewell’s Pro Bowl limp.
A couple star Lions are having fun this offseason. What does this tell us about their health status going forward? Let’s review.
Amon-Ra St. Brown to play in celebrity basketball game on February 13
St. Brown had some concerning knee and hand/wrist issues coming out of last season.
Before the season, he had knee surgery suspected to be for cartilage cleanup. His knees seemed just fine all season until a right knee injury late in the year, which he played through.
The hand/wrist issues were suspected to be the cause of multiple uncharacteristic drops throughout the season.
Of much lesser concern is a right low ankle sprain he suffered in Week 13.
I’ll take it as a very positive sign for his knee, ankle, hand, and wrist that he is playing in a basketball game in February. This suggests there was no immediate postseason surgery and not much concern overall.
As far as the risk of playing basketball, these celebrity All-Star games are less risky than doing the Lambeau Leap while wearing a Lions jersey.
There is no real defense in “All-Star” basketball, so basically it’s like shooting hoops by yourself in a gym. I have no concerns here.
Here are videos of St. Brown’s injuries from the 2025 season:
Week 17:
Week 13:
Week 4-5:
Another very positive sign for Amon-Ra is he already made it successfully through the Pro Bowl flag football game without issue:
Speaking of the Pro Bowl…
Penei Sewell appears to be limping at the Pro Bowl Games
Sewell was seen here at the Pro Bowl Games appearing to still be limping on his left leg.
Recall that he is suspected based on video to have had a left high ankle sprain on Christmas. He missed the next game (season finale) for it, although game importance may have been an overriding factor.
Sewell’s left ankle certainly could still be healing up 5 weeks post injury. It’s a reassuring sign that he is at the Pro Bowl as that suggests there was likely no surgery and no significant concern.
Here are videos of Sewell’s injuries from the 2025 season:
Week 17:
Week 10:
Week 9:
Sewell’s most painful moment of the Pro Bowl might have been missing out on the inaugural Protector of the Year Award, which went to Joe Thuney of the Bears. At least Sewell can take solace in that he’ll have many more chances to win it being still only 25 years old.
Bottom line
Everything we’ve seen so far this offseason for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell are reassuring for their health. Both should be a full-go heading into the 2026 season.
For more on the health concern levels of the Lions returning players, see my story below…
Detroit Lions 2026 offseason health concern meter - Part 1: Returning players
The Lions have some significant health concerns coming out of the 2025 season, and some not so significant ones. Here is my ranking of the concern level - 0 (no concern) to 10 (whoa Nellie) - for key players who are under contract through at least 2026. Players who are free agents will be coming soon in a Part 2.