Of course, the big news today was Jack Campbell’s statement updating his spinal cord injury and current symptoms. I’m working on a full analysis, which I’ll publish soon in a standalone article.
In the meantime, as Dan Campbell sagely stated today in his press conference:
“They’re not postponing the game. The only way to honor Jack is make sure we’re locked in and ready to go. Otherwise, what just came about we’re throwing it away.”
Due to the season-ending losses of Jack Campbell and Jimmy Rolder, the Lions announced three linebacker moves today:
Lions vs Dolphins Initial Injury Report
🔴No practice (NP)
🟡Limited practice (LP)
🟢Full practice (FP)
* Current starter
DETROIT LIONS (open -7, current -7)
🔴 *Jack Campbell, LB - Cervical spinal cord
Many have wondered about Jack’s delayed placement on IR. There are a couple possible reasons.
1)Historically, the Lions have often delayed IR placement for players clearly headed for IR. Unless a roster spot needs to be cleared, there is no urgency to put a player immediately on IR. From my recollection, the player is always put on IR before the next game though.
2)The Lions may be waiting out of respect for Jack and his family, and to avoid turning Jack immediately into a business “transaction”.
There is zero chance that Jack is returning to football this season, so hope for a return is not a reason for the delay. I expect the Lions to put Jack on IR sometime before Sunday.
🔴 *DJ Reed, CB - Hip
Projection: Lean out
The NP is somewhat concerning as it increases the possibility of a long-term injury. There are still no details of his injury yet. Still hoping it’s just a painful contusion.
🔴 *Cade Mays, C - Left ankle
Projection: Uncertain
No details of Mays injury yet. If this is a low-ankle sprain, he may see an LP tomorrow.
🔴 *DJ Wonnum, EDGE - Concussion
Projection: Out
Wonnum displayed obvious, significant concussion symptoms on video and needed to be carted off. He probably gets at least a week off.
🟡 *Brian Branch, S - Concussion
Projection: In
The LP is an excellent early sign that Branch may pass through the 5-step concussion protocol in plenty of time for Sunday. In 2024, Branch was poised to play in the next game following his concussion, but an “illness” kept him out.
🟡 Jacob Saylors, RB - Neck
Projection: In
The LP today further corroborates that this neck issue is nothing serious. He has injured this neck each of the past two games.
🟡 *Kerby Joseph, S - Left knee
Projection: Out
Joseph is still early in the ramp-up stage, as this is just his fourth practice. At some point, he probably needs to get an FP to play, but it might not happen this week. Even if he gets an FP this week, I still don’t expect him to play in Miami.
🟡 Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB - Toe
Projection: Uncertain
Amen has been exclusively on special teams this year with the Lions. I don’t have video of Amen’s injury, and special teams injuries are notoriously hard to find. With the LB injuries, he may be pressed into action on defense if he’s healthy.
🟡 *Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR - Rib
Projection: In
In my Week 8 postgame report, I expressed concern for a shoulder or rib injury on this play where he was slow getting up…
Turns out he did indeed injure his ribs. A rib cartilage injury is a possibility. The LP is reassuring.
ARSB also had a wrap on his left knee during the last game. It’s good to see the knee is not on the report, although there is no requirement by the team to list every injured body part.
🟢 Rock Ya-Sin, CB - Cramps
Projection: In
Ya-Sin is no stranger to cramps, as he had multiple cramping issues last season. Here is one example from last year…
Notables Unlisted
🔴Jimmy Rolder, LB - Placed on IR this week for a severe hamstring injury that may require surgery. Hamstring surgery is not overly common, but the Lions’ Michael Badgley in 2024 had hamstring surgery. The timeline for hamstring surgery is extremely variable due to the many possibilities, but expect a 6-12 month recovery.
🟢*Jahmyr Gibbs, RB - Suspected right AC joint sprain the past two games. It’s good that Gibbs is unlisted.
🟢Ennis Rakestraw, CB - Rakestraw injured his left ankle in Week 7 and only played 1 defensive snap in Week 8.
🟢*Roger McCreary, CB - A foot injury had him listed as questionable for the last game, but he played. Looks like a very minor issue.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Notables Only
🟢 *Kayden Proctor, OG
This 1st-round rookie (who the Lions may have been targeting for a trade-up in the draft) missed the last game with this concussion. His FP today means he is on track to play.
Notables Unlisted
🔴*De’Von Achane, RB - This electrifyingly fast RB tore his ACL in Week 3 and is on IR.
Programming note: I’ll be taking my talents (admittedly meager) to South Beach in the coming days, so my articles may look different during that time. I won’t have the typical injury video breakdowns, but will report anything notable I see at the game. Follow me on Twitter/X @JimmyLiaoMD for updates. I’ll do my best to help bring home a W.