Lions, Giants injury news: 3 starters return to practice on Thursday

SB Nation

The Detroit Lions (6-4) and New York Giants (2-9) were back on the practice field on Thursday, and with Detroit holding a walkthrough on Wednesday, this marks the first true look at where Lions players’

injuries stand. On a positive note, the Lions were able to return three starters to practice on Thursday, including left tackle Taylor Decker, right tackle Penei Sewell, and safety Brian Branch.

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

CB Terrion Arnold (concussion)
S Kerby Joseph (knee)

Arnold remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and is still unable to practice at this time. On Wednesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell noted that Arnold was “still kinda day-to-day” in his recovery, which essentially means they’re in a wait-and-see mode at this time.

Joseph continues to miss practice, and with him unavailable for such an extended period, it’s hard to predict when he’ll be ready to play in games, even if he begins practicing soon.

Limited practice

RB Sione Vaki (ankle)
WR Isaac TeSlaa (oblique)
RT Penei Sewell (ankle) — Upgraded from estimated no practice on Wednesday
LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) — Upgraded from estimated no practice on Wednesday
RG Tate Ratledge (knee)
C Graham Glasgow (knee)
EDGE Josh Paschal (back, still on NFI) — Days remaining in evaluation: 5
EDGE Marcus Davenport (shoulder, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 12
CB D.J. Reed (hamstring, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 12
CB Khalil Dorsey (wrist) — Started evaluation clock — Days remaining in evaluation: 20
S Brian Branch (toe) — Upgraded from estimated no practice on Wednesday

Vaki was estimated to have been able to practice on Wednesday and was even spotted dressed in uniform for Thursday’s practice, but during the portions of practice open to the media, he did not appear to be involved. We’ll have to see how his situation progresses on Friday before we know much more.

TeSlaa hasn’t missed any time since showing up on the injury report last Saturday, but the Lions typically take things slow with mid-week injuries, so expect his participation levels to remain low for now.

Sewell has been working through different injuries for the past three weeks, but when game day comes, he’s played virtually every snap. After getting a break on Wednesday, he’s back at practice and is expected to be good to go in the game.

Decker continues to go through each practice week, taking at least one practice off as he gives his shoulder a break. He hasn’t missed a snap since before the bye week and is expected to start on Sunday, even if he takes Friday’s practice off.

Ratledge left for a portion of Week 11 with a knee injury but was estimated to have practiced on Wednesday and did practice on Thursday, indicating he’s in a decent spot to start at right guard against the Giants.

Glasgow, like Ratledge, was estimated to have practiced on Wednesday and did practice on Thursday, and should be in line to start on Sunday afternoon.

Paschal has less than a week left in his evaluation window, meaning the Lions have until next Wednesday to decide on his status. It’s possible that he returns for this weekend’s matchup with the Giants, or he could be held out until Thanksgiving against the Packers.

Davenport has less than two weeks remaining, meaning he could miss both the Giants and Packers games, or potentially return to one or both of those games. Of the four injury-list players practicing, Davenport appears to be the furthest away, based on the coaches’ comments.

Reed still has over a week remaining in his injury evaluation window, but Campbell has suggested multiple times that the Lions believe that Reed could return as soon as this week.

“I’m hopeful, but I think a lot of it’s going to be determined by (Thursday)—like these full-speed practices tomorrow and then Friday,” Campbell said on Wednesday. “He looked pretty good last week, so we’ll see.”

As for Reed, he told the media last week that he will be ready to go once called upon, whenever that happens.

“I’m a gamer, so I’m ready,” Reed said. “But that’s not my call. Obviously, they’re going to be smart about it. But if you ask me, I’m ready to play. That’s my mindset.”

Branch was estimated to have missed Wednesday’s practice, but Campbell didn’t seem overly concerned about his status when he talked to the media that afternoon. An official return to practice is a good sign.

“I feel okay. Branch, I think we’re going to be okay,” Campbell said. Adding later, “But I feel good about Branch, a lot better.”

Full practice

RB Jacob Saylors (back)
TE Brock Wright (ankle) — Upgraded from estimated limited practice on Wednesday
G Miles Frazier (knee, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 5
LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee)

Saylors has been nursing a back injury for a few weeks now, but he was able to play in last week’s game, and he looks to be on the right path to play against the Giants this Sunday as well.

Wright was upgraded to a full practice on Thursday, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets some lighter work this week to ensure he’s ready to step back into TE1 duties this weekend.

Frazier continues to work his way through the PUP process, but with less than a week remaining in his evaluation window, a decision on his status needs to be made by next Wednesday.

Rodriguez was just removed from the PUP this week, so he’ll be on the injury report as the team continues to oversee his reacclimation. He is expected to play against the Giants this weekend, the first time he’s taken the field in nearly a year.