The Detroit Lions (6-3) and Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) were back on the practice field on Thursday as they prepare for their showdown on “Sunday Night Football.” There are a few concerning injuries on the Lions’
side of things, including tight end Sam LaPorta missing his second straight practice and cornerback Amik Robertson being a mid-week addition to the injury report.
Let’s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded.
No practice
- TE Sam LaPorta (back)
- DL Pat O’Connor (knee) — Downgraded from limited practice on Wednesday
- CB Terrion Arnold (concussion)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
LaPorta has now missed two consecutive practices, and the severity of his back injury is not entirely known, as he did not leave last week’s game with this injury, and coach Dan Campbell has not discussed it. We’ll surely get an update at Campbell’s Friday press conference, but for now, we’ll just have to wait to see if this injury could cost LaPorta this game.
O’Connor was limited on Wednesday and then downgraded to no practice on Thursday. It’s not known if this was a planned rest day or if he re-aggravated his knee, but either way, his chances of playing Sunday are not as optimistic as they were previously.
Arnold is still working his way through the NFL’s concussion protocols, and while he has yet to practice, he still has time to clear them ahead of the game. Arnold talked about his injury on his most recent “Closed on Sundays” podcast, and how he knew something wasn’t right after taking a shot from Commanders’ Deebo Samuel.
“Right now, they got ya boy in concussion protocol,” Arnold said to his podcast partner Pat Surtain II. “But, I feel good. I look at stuff like this and just say, ‘It’s in God’s hands.’”
Joseph continues to miss practices and is in line to miss his fourth straight game unless something dramatic happens on Friday.
Limited practice
- RB Sione Vaki (ankle) — Upgraded from no practice on Wednesday
- RB Jacob Saylors (back)
- TE Brock Wright (back) — Upgraded from no practice on Wednesday
- RT Penei Sewell (ankle) — Upgraded from no practice on Wednesday
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- G Miles Frazier (knee, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 12
- EDGE Josh Paschal (back, still on NFI) — Days remaining in evaluation: 12
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (shoulder, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 19
- CB Amik Robertson (hamstring) — NEW INJURY
- CB D.J. Reed (hamstring, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 19
Vaki missed one practice with a new injury—his third different one on the season—but was back at practice on Thursday in hopes of staying on the field come game day.
Saylors has now stacked two practices since he missed Week 10, and with him potentially returning as well, the Lions could have a crowded running back room. If both he and Vaki are healthy enough to return, it would mark the first time all season that all five of the Lions’ running backs were healthy enough to play.
Wright missed one practice while working with trainers and was back at practice on Thursday. With LaPorta’s status in flux, Wright’s availability is suddenly very important, as he may be called upon for TE1 duties.
Sewell missed one practice at the beginning of the week but was able to return on Thursday, matching his practice pattern from last week. If things continue to trend in a similar way, he’ll get in another practice on Friday and start on Sunday.
Decker has now practiced in two straight practices, which could set him up for a veteran rest day on Friday, as he did last week. Regardless of Friday’s practice participation level, he’s on track to start against the Eagles.
Robertson, being a mid-week addition to the injury report, is concerning. Typically, a mid-week addition means either the player had a pre-existing injury and required a pre-planned rest day, or the injury occurred at practice and could result in him missing the upcoming game. With Arnold still in concussion protocol and not practicing, and now Robertson’s status in jeopardy, the Lions may need to call on the ‘Legion of Whom’ in a very challenging game.
Frazier, Paschal, Davenport, and Reed all continue to work their way through the Lions’ evaluation process, but based on how they’ve returned players to game action this season, none are expected to return this week.
Full Practice
- C Graham Glasgow (back)
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (elbow) — Upgraded from no practice on Wednesday
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 4
Glasgow has also had two straight practices after injuring his back in Week 10, suggesting he’s in a good spot to start at center on Sunday night.
Hutchinson told the media he was planning to play on Sunday, and a return to practice on Thursday suggests his plan is progressing. Hutchinson appeared to injure his elbow in last week’s game but was able to play through it, meaning Wednesday was likely just a rest day to help calm down any lingering discomfort.
Rodriguez has now completed back-to-back full practices, and as long as things go to plan on Friday, he is expected to be removed from PUP on Saturday and return to game action on Sunday night.
Eagles’ injury report
Coming soon.
