The Detroit Lions (8-7) and Minnesota Vikings (7-8) have declared their Week 17 injury designations ahead of their Thursday afternoon matchup on Christmas Day. While the Lions have been dealing with some significant injuries of late, the Vikings will be without three starters and one rotational player who served as a starter for most of the season.
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.
Ruled OUT
- OT Giovanni Manu (knee) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 12
- DB Avonte Maddox (back/illness)
Manu
still has well over a week remaining in his injury evaluation period, and with the Lions acknowledging they are focusing on getting him ready for 2026, they’ve ruled him out for this game and will get him back on the practice field next week.
Maddox hasn’t been able to practice all week and won’t be healthy enough to play on Thursday. It’s yet another blow to the Lions’ safety group, and the Lions will most likely need to turn to veteran Daniel Thomas to start opposite Thomas Harper.
Questionable
- RB David Montgomery (illness)
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee)
- WR Tom Kennedy (abdomen)
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- LG Christian Mahogany (fibula)
- OL Trystan Colon (wrist)
- DT Alim McNeill (abdomen)
- EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee)
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (shoulder)
- CB Amik Robertson (hand)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (illness)
Note: Everyone but Decker (NP) was listed as limited in Wednesday’s practice
Montgomery’s illness kept him from practicing on Tuesday, but it looks like he’ll have a chance to play on Thursday if he can clear this illness from his system.
St. Brown’s knee has “a little irritation,” according to coach Dan Campbell, but the news is “positive” for his availability against the Vikings. Barring a setback in pre-game warmups, he’s expected to play.
Kennedy has been an expected participant in practices this week, but with no clear evidence of when or how the injury occurred, it’s difficult to assess its severity.
Decker has gone through a typical week of practice, getting a mix of rest and limited practicing, and he’s expected to start at left tackle on Thursday.
Mahogany is still reacclimating back to football, and while he was seen walking with a bit of a limp following last week’s game, he’s expected to be able to start at left guard this week.
Colon is still recovering from a wrist injury, which kept him out of last week’s game and could impede his ability to back up Glasgow at center. If he can go this week, he’ll likely serve as a reserve interior player.
McNeill was estimated to have been able to practice in a limited fashion this week, which is a good sign he’ll have a chance to play against the Vikings.
Muhammad has been limited in practice this week, but the fact that he’s been estimated to have been available to practice with an injured knee is an encouraging sign that he will have a chance to play against the Vikings.
Davenport needed to leave the game against the Steelers briefly, but he returned, which is encouraging. However, given his injury history, it’s hard to have much confidence in predicting his availability.
Robertson was able to play with a club on his hand last week, and he’s expected to be able to play through it again against the Vikings. Robertson’s playing time was cut drastically short last week, mainly limited to nickel duties, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the same agenda in this upcoming game.
Dorsey is the third player in the Lions locker room to come down with an illness, but this one being 24 hours away from kickoff could put his status in jeopardy.
Not listed with an injury designation
- C Graham Glasgow (knee)
Glasgow missed last week’s game, but he was estimated to have returned to a limited practice on Monday, then was upgraded to an estimated full practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, suggesting he’ll have a chance to return to a starting role at center against the Vikings.
Vikings’ injury designations
Note: Starters are bolded.
Ruled OUT
- QB J.J. McCarthy (right hand)
- RB Jordan Mason (ankle)
- TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder)
- C Ryan Kelly (concussion)
Questionable
- TE Gavin Bartholomew (back — still on IR)
- RT Brian O’Neill (heel)
Not listed with an injury designation
- RB Aaron Jones (ankle)
- RB Ty Chandler (knee — still on IR)
- NT Javon Hargrave (thigh)
- LB Eric Wilson (thumb)
- LB Austin Keys (ankle)
