Top 10 most impactful injuries to Lions 2025 season
The Lions 2025 season didn’t go as expected. Part of the reason was due to injuries to many key players. In chronological order, let’s take a look at the 10 most impactful injuries to the Lions 2025 season.
#1 October, 2024 - Taylor Decker right shoulder
Decker’s shoulder issue started during the 2024 season as a rotator cuff issue, and he ended up getting surgery in the offseason. While he only missed 2 games for the shoulder in 2025, it bothered him the entire season as you can see here in Week 7…
#2 December 15, 2024 - Alim McNeill right ACL
This injury occurred in the 2024 season but had lasting impacts throughout 2025. He didn’t play until Week 7 and was not his former self for the entire year - not unexpected as players recovering from an ACL often are not fully back until the season after they return.
#3 July, 2025 - Kerby Joseph left knee
This knee issue was bothering Joseph early in training camp and was noticeably aggravated here in Week 4.
He never played again after Week 6. The Lions defense greatly missed his ability to create turnovers the rest of the year.
#4 September 14, 2025 (Week 2) - Marcus Davenport right pec/shoulder
This major injury to Davenport forced him to miss the next 9 games. It might have even been 2 separate injuries here with the pec and the shoulder. He returned for the final 6 games but the shoulder was still visibly bothering him.
#5 September 28, 2025 (Week 4) - Terrion Arnold right shoulder
This roller coaster of a shoulder injury was initially feared to end Arnold’s season. He returned to play 4 more games before deciding on surgery, which did in fact end his season after Week 13.
#6 September 28, 2025 (Week 4) - DJ Reed left hamstring
Reed missed 2 months (6 games) with this severe hamstring strain. He was able to return for the final 7 games, but it took him a little while to get back up to speed.
#7 November 2, 2025 (Week 9) - Christian Mahogany left fibula fracture
This starting LG missed the next 6 games due to this fracture. He was able to return for the final 3 games of the season.
#8 November 9, 2025 (Week 10) - Sam LaPorta herniated disc
An unexpected back injury ended LaPorta’s season after Week 10 and required surgery. While this play near the end of the game was concerning, LaPorta revealed there was a pre-existing issue with a herniated disc.
#9 November 27, 2025 (Week 13) - Frank Ragnow hamstring strain
No video here as I’m still working on hacking into the camera feed in Ragnow’s hunting lodge.
Ragnow retired in the offseason but was ready to make a triumphant comeback after Thanksgiving. He potentially could have saved the Lions interior offensive line and even the season… until a mysterious hamstring strain re-retired him.
#10 December 4, 2025 (Week 14) - Brian Branch right Achilles
The safety position took its second massive blow with Branch’s injury, which ended his season and will likely affect the next season as well.
Hey Doc, is there anything preventative the Lions can do to help minimize the plethora of injuries?