You know the NFL season is on the cusp when you get the first practice injury report of the year. When you look over the Detroit Lions first injury report, it’s favorable overall.
As always, not listed on the report are players on IR/PUP/NFI such as Cade Mays (IR), Isiah Pacheco (IR), Brian Branch (PUP), and Kerby Joseph (PUP). Also, practice squad players who are injured like Mason Miller will not be listed. So it’s not a totally clean picture of health for the team.
🔴No practice (NP)
🟡Limited practice (LP)
🟢Full practice (FP)
When reviewing my projections, keep in mind that the Lions have a short turnaround to Game 2 on Thursday Night vs the Bills. Thus, players who are on the edge may wait to return until Game 2 to get a full week of recovery afterwards.
DETROIT LIONS (line -7)
🟡Mekhi Wingo, DT - Groin
Projection: Out
This is the second groin issue for Wingo in the past month. He had a minor groin injury early in camp with a return to practice in four days. Of more concern might be the fact that he has a history of two groin surgeries around 2023.
🟡Derrick Moore, EDGE - Hamstring
Projection: Lean out
Moore had a hamstring issue pre-draft which turned out to be a minor issue. Now, he has another hamstring which occurred around August 25. He also had a groin strain early in camp on August 2. That’s a lot of strains in one year. For this reason, the Lions may want to be cautious here.
🟡Christian Izien, S - Groin
Projection: Out
This previously unspecified injury that occurred around August 25 has turned out to be a groin. The initial expectation was a return in late September, so it’s good news he’s already practicing, albeit limited.
🟢Keith Abney, CB - Hand
Projection: In
In 2025, Abney had a left hand fracture with surgery. It’s unknown whether the current hand issue is related. An FP means it won’t affect his availability.
🟢Trevor Nowaske, LB - Knee
Projection: In
This injury that occurred around August 25 was previously described by Dan Campbell as an unspecified “sprain”. Now we know it’s a knee sprain. Good news it’s nothing serious.
🟢Thomas Harper, S - Ankle
Projection: In
The ankle injury occurred around August 20.
🟢Jimmy Rolder, LB - Hamstring
Projection: In
The hamstring was suffered on July 31. The FP means Rolder is pretty much ready to go just six weeks later. That’s a nice outcome.
🟢Ennis Rakestraw, CB - Ankle
Projection: In
Rakestraw had a suspected low-ankle sprain in practice on August 20. He then tweaked his left ankle in the final preseason game…
NOTABLES UNLISTED
🔴Cade Mays, C - Right wrist fracture (IR)
It was reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press which side Mays’ fracture was on…
Mays snaps with his right hand, so this will be something to watch once he returns. His projected return is around Week 5-7.
🟢Sam LaPorta, TE - Microdiscectomy 2025
I expect LaPorta to get load management days off throughout the season to prevent accumulation trauma on his spine. It’s good news that he registered a full practice on the first report of the season.
Mason Miller, C - Unknown injury
The Lions announced an injury for Miller on September 7. Since Miller is on the practice squad, he does not need to appear on the official injury reports.
Seth McLaughlin, C - Concussion
This backup center had a concussion on August 27 and is presumed to be recovered by now. He is currently on the practice squad and is a candidate to get elevated on Sunday to serve as the backup to starting center, Juice Scruggs.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
🔴Cam Jordan, DE - Hamstring
Head coach Kellen Moore ruled Jordan out already.
🔴Oscar Delp, TE - Hamstring
I had concerns about Delp’s foot fracture in the pre-draft process, but so far, the foot doesn’t seem to be an issue for this rookie. Here was my report on Delp…
🔴Audric Estimé, RB - Thigh
🟡Alvin Kamara, RB - Knee
Kamara had a reported MCL injury on August 18. If it’s mild severity, he has a chance to play vs the Lions. This veteran RB had 131 carries for 471 yards last season.
NOTABLES UNLISTED
🔴Jordyn Tyson (WR) - The Saints’ 1st-round rookie suffered another hamstring injury that landed him on IR. Recall that Tyson had significant hamstring concerns entering the draft…
🔴Brian Bresee (DT) - This starting defensive lineman is out for the year with an ACL suffered in camp.
🔴Dillon Radunz (OL) - This backup offensive lineman is out for the year with an ACL suffered in camp.