Lions vs Vikings - FINAL injury report (Week 17, 2025)
It's Christmas, it's the time of miracles
The Lions head into the Christmas Day showdown with the Vikings hoping for a holiday miracle. A 2-game winning streak to finish the season along with a 2-game losing streak for the Packers would get the Lions into the playoffs… where any-thing (or should I say Eli-Manning) can happen.
Remember that Eli snuck into the playoffs twice as the lowest seed, won 2 Super Bowls…
and miraculously launched an epic career of a thousand commercials…
For the Lions, the holiday miracle that needs to happen isn’t to win 2 straight… but for Vikings QB, Max Brosmer to continue to play like an undrafted rookie on Christmas…
and then somehow transform into undrafted Kurt Warner the next week vs the Packers.
“It’s Christmas, it’s the time of miracles.” - Hans Gruber
Overall, the Lions final injury report looks pretty good. The major injury issue for the team is, and has been, the secondary which is missing 3 starters:
Kerby Joseph, S (knee)
Brian Branch, S (Achilles)
Terrion Arnold, CB (shoulder)
… and has multiple others banged-up:
DJ Reed, CB (hamstring recovery)
Amik Robertson, CB (hand)
Avonte Maddox, S (back/illness)
Khalil Dorsey, CB (illness)
The Lions pass rush will need to step it up and help out the secondary so there isn’t a reincarnation of Matt Flynn…
Final injury report
Trends
The line opened around Lions -6 and has made a significant move to -7.5. This is likely due to the confirmation during the week of JJ McCarthy being out with a hand fracture.
Amon-Ra St. Brown was upgraded over the course of the week and is looking good to be in.
The status of RB’s David Montgomery and Jordan Mason may be of interest to fantasy football owners. Mason has been ruled out, while DMo is trending in.
Vikings OT, Brian O’Neill upgraded to 2 LP to end the week.
Lions starters out
Out: Brian Branch, S
Out: Terrion Arnold, CB
Out: Sam LaPorta, TE
Out: Kerby Joseph, S
(NP - no practice, LP - limited practice, FP - full practice)
DETROIT LIONS (line -7.5, open -6)
OUT
Avonte Maddox, S (back/illness)
It’s still uncertain the severity of the back issue given that he also is listed with an illness.
Giovanni Manu, OT (knee)
Projection: Target return Week 18 vs Bears.
Manu has not played since October 5. He opened his 21-day window from IR on December 17. The practice time is good for him regardless of if he gets activated.
QUESTIONABLE
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR (knee) starter
Projection: In
Two LP to finish the week is a very good sign. He hasn’t missed a game all season.
Taylor Decker, LT (right shoulder/rest) starter
Projection: In
Decker will start his 10th straight game on Christmas.
Alim McNeill, DT (abdomen) starter
Projection: In
Alim played 76% of snaps last game without apparent issue. While the exact injury is unknown, the full week of LP is a good sign.
Amik Robertson, CB (left hand) starter
Projection: In
Robertson played last game with a club on his left hand. He should do so again on Christmas. Maybe the club will help him force a fumble.
Christian Mahogany, LG (left fibula fracture) starter
Projection: In
Mahogany is likely to start his 2nd straight game after returning from his fractured fibula. He should perform better this game.
Marcus Davenport, EDGE (right shoulder) starter
Projection: In
Davenport missed 2.5 months this season with a right shoulder and/or pec injury.
He’s played the last 4 games, but was clearly bothered by his shoulder for most of last game. The 3 LP likely has him available.
Trystan Colon, OG/C (wrist)
Projection: Available, but inactive
Colon missed last game with this wrist, but should be available this game if the Lions want. A semi-healthy inactive is very possible with Miles Frazier and Kingsley Eguakun available.
Tom Kennedy, WR (abdomen)
Projection: In
The 3 LP is reassuring. Kennedy has taken over the kick return duties and will hopefully break some big returns these last 2 weeks.
Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE (knee)
Projection: In
Muhammad may have been dealing with a lingering knee issue for much of this season. The 3 LP this week has him likely battling through.
David Montgomery, RB (illness)
Projection: In
After the NP on Tuesday, the upgrade to LP on Wednesday is a good sign that the illness is short-term and benign.
Khalil Dorsey, CB (illness)
Projection: Lean in
An illness popping up the day before the game could put him out even if it’s benign.
IN
Graham Glasgow, C (knee) starter
Glasgow missed last game due to the knee, but is ready for Christmas.
Notables unlisted
Jared Goff, who had his left ankle stepped on last game, is fine.
For the Lions up-to-date IR/PUP/NFI summary click here. You can also always find this link at the top of my home page.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
OUT
JJ McCarthy, starting QB, has been ruled out with a right hand hairline fracture. Max Brosmer gets the start.
Ryan Kelly, starting C, will be likely out the rest of the season due to recurrent concussions.
Jordan Mason, RB leads the team with 664 rushing yards on the year.
TJ Hockenson, TE has 51 receptions for 438 yards on the year.
QUESTIONABLE
Brian O’Neill, starting OT, had 2 LP to finish out the week.