Lions vs Rams Week 15: Initial injury report
Time to take down Matthew Stafford and his clones
The Lions start their trek towards the playoffs with a game against the current #1 seed in the NFC - the Rams. While the Rams are sailing smoothly into the playoffs, the Lions will have to overcome some rough waters to get there.
In the Lions way will be old friend and new nemesis, Matthew Stafford. Or is it really him? Maybe the rumors are right and it is indeed a clone…
Regardless if it’s Matthew Stafford or his clones, whoever is under center for the Rams is playing at an MVP level - which means the Lions will need to be like Neo in The Matrix and repeatedly knock those clones down…
Getting hits and pressures on the Rams QB will be essential with many key players in the secondary out for the Lions.
Lions starters out
Out: Brian Branch, S
Out: Terrion Arnold, CB
Out: Sam LaPorta, TE
Likely Out: Christian Mahogany, LG
Possibly out: Kerby Joseph, S
Initial injury report
(NP - no practice, LP - limited practice, FP - full practice)
DETROIT LIONS
NP - Brian Branch, S (Achilles) starter
Branch has already had Achilles tendon surgery and will be out for the season. He will be put on IR soon. Expect around a 10-11 month recovery.
NP - Alex Anzalone, LB (illness) starter
An early-week illness usually doesn’t keep NFL players out. There is a good chance he gets up to an LP/FP by the end of the week.
Projection: Likely in.
NP - Taylor Decker, OT (right shoulder) starter
The NP raises a slight concern, but I feel good that he’ll start his 8th straight game. There was no obvious aggravation last game.
Projection: Likely in.
LP - Christian Mahogany, OG (left leg fracture) starter
Mahogany fractured his leg on November 2. The Rams game will be 6 weeks post injury.
His 21-day practice window opened on December 10. The early return suggests that there was no significant ankle joint damage which is excellent news long-term. The suspected diagnosis is an isolated left fibula fracture.
If you want more details on Mahogany, check out my previous article where I went in-depth into his injury and projected return.
Projection: Returns on December 21 vs Steelers or Christmas vs Vikings.
LP - Kerby Joseph, S (left knee) starter
Joseph has missed the last 7 games and hasn’t played since October 12. Last week, he had his first practice in weeks but followed it up with 2x NP. The inability to get in a 2nd practice might mean that the knee did not respond well.
Both Dan Campbell and Joseph himself have expressed long-term concerns with his knee. Based on their statements, my concern is for articular cartilage damage or an osteochondral defect, which can present chronic discomfort and disability.
The LP on this week’s initial report is a good start, but he probably needs to stack some LP/FP’s before playing.
Projection: Up in the air. Might depend on how his knee responds to practice.
LP - Thomas Harper, S (concussion)
The LP has him trending in as it means he is already progressing through the 5-phase concussion protocol. Unless there is a downgrade over the next 2 practices, he should be available.
Projection: Likely in.
LP - Shane Zylstra, TE (knee)
Zylstra hurt his ankle and knee on September 14. His 21-day window opened on December 1. After his first LP in the window last week, he was an NP in the next 2 practices. It would be unusual to need rest days after his first limited practice in months. Did he aggravate his knee or was there a new injury?
Dan Campbell on Wednesday stated: “No [setback]…. That’s kind of how we had it planned… ”
I’m not sure I totally buy Campbell’s explanation, so we’ll see how practice goes for Zylstra the rest of the week.
Projection: Last week’s practice report raised some concerns. Right now, I have him leaning out.
LP - Kalif Raymond, WR (left ankle)
On video, Raymond is suspected to have suffered a left high ankle sprain on November 23. He has missed the last 2 games. A high ankle can easily keep a player out for 2-4 weeks.
With Tom Kennedy having an excellent return game last week along with the high ceiling of Isaac TeSlaa as the #3 WR, there is no big rush to get Raymond back.
Projection: Leaning in, but might have limited snaps.
LP - Kayode Awosika, OG (foot)
Awosika is presumed to have hurt his foot last week in practice and missed the last game. The LP signals that this is not a serious injury. With the Lions trying to get Miles Frazier more playing time, there is no urgency to get Awosika back.
Projection: Trending in, but could be a semi-healthy scratch due to the play of Frazier.
LP - Sione Vaki, RB (thumb)
Vaki looked like he hurt his right shoulder in the last game, but stayed in. It’s good news that the shoulder is not on the report. The thumb has been on the report for multiple weeks but Vaki has played through.
Projection: Very likely in.
NOTABLES UNLISTED
Amon-Ra St. Brown played through a right low ankle sprain last game and will be even healthier this week. He’ll have minimal to no limitations.
Penei Sewell was listed with a shoulder last week.
Graham Glasgow was questionable with a knee last week.
Pat O’Connor, who was placed on IR Nov 14 with a knee injury and released with injury settlement the next day, was signed to the practice squad on Dec 8.
Giovanni Manu, who is on IR with a knee, told Colton Pouncy that he’s targeting a return next week.
For the full IR/PUP/NFI summary, click here for the up-to-date summary which you can also find at the top of my home page. I also wrote a comprehensive review of the IR list earlier this week.