The Detroit Lions earned a crucial Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but several players suffered notable injuries that will carry into the upcoming week and beyond.
All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell’s neck injury is the most significant and concerning, and we have the latest updates on his status as well as the latest quotes from coach Dan Campbell in separate pieces. However, six other players were injured and exited last Sunday’s game, and on Monday, coach Campbell updated everyone’s status.
LB Jimmy Rolder (hamstring) — may require surgery; his rookie season is over
On the same play that injured Campbell, Rolder went down behind the play and was noticeably frustrated, pounding the turf several times. Rolder exited the field under his own power but walked with a considerable limp and was ruled out of the game soon after.
On Monday, Campbell said Rolder’s injury could potentially require surgery and was significant enough that it’s clear that “he’ll be out for the season.”
After starting the season working his way back from a hamstring injury, Rolder was slowly acclimating to the NFL and was appearing in just his fifth game as a professional. On Sunday, he saw the most snaps of his young career, registering his first career sack and his third tackle for loss of the season. Unfortunately, he’ll now begin another recovery process and will have his eyes set on 2027.
D.J.Wonnum and Brian Branch — In the NFL’s concussion protocol
Wonnum and Branch were injured while making a tackle in the first half of last Sunday’s game, and both were removed from the field to be examined for concussions. While Branch was able to walk to the locker room with a trainer, Wonnum required the cart to travel back to the locker room.
On Monday, Campbell noted that both players are in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will need to complete the steps for recovery before they’re able to return to the field. Fortunately, while Wonnum needed additional support to exit the field, Campbell said he doesn’t appear his concussion is any worse, or better, than concussions other players have suffered.
“He and Branch are both in concussion protocol. I really don’t have anything else to (add). I wouldn’t say it was any better or any worse than a concussion anyone else has had, really. So I really can’t swing one way or another for you there—with either he or BB [Branch]. We won’t know until they (progress through the protocols). Today wasn’t a negative, so you go through the next day and see what happens. So, we’ll see.”
The NFL’s concussion protocols move in slow incremental steps. Players must pass a series of tests established by the NFL and prove they don’t show any flagged symptoms the following day. The process also includes returning to practice, passing a series of steps, and finally passing a series of medical tests performed by an independent medical professional.
So while Campbell noted that they passed the initial step of the protocol process, they still have several other steps to progress through before being cleared to play.
C Cade Mays (ankle) — Report: low ankle injury
On Monday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Mays’ injury was a “low ankle sprain,” and when Campbell addressed the injury at his press conference, he said, “I don’t see him practicing Wednesday,” but did not address a projection beyond that.
As a general rule, a “low” ankle injury can last anywhere from one to six weeks, while “high” ankle sprains tend to last six to 12 weeks, so early indications are positive based on historical trends.
CB D.J. Reed (hip) — Will not practice to start the week
Like Mays, Campbell noted that “I don’t see (Reed) practicing Wednesday,” as he works through a hip injury. On a positive note, Reed was made available to the media in the locker room after the game, something that typically indicates a player does not have a long-term injury. During that session, Reed said he was feeling OK post-game and that the secondary’s rotation has helped the team prepare for injuries.
“It’s a next man up business, especially when you play a lot of man (coverage),” Reed told Pride of Detroit. “Things happen, and (defensive backs) coach (Deshea) Townsend says it all the time, ‘everybody has to be ready, everybody has to prepare like they’re starting, because you’re one injury away from being in the starting lineup.’ You’ve got to perform, and there can’t be a drop-off.”
RB Jacobs Saylors (neck) — Will not practice to start the week
We have the least information on Saylors’ injury. When Saylors exited the game on Sunday, it was reported that he was dealing with a neck injury, but we didn’t get any further explanation on the extent or seriousness of the injury post-game or on Monday.
Campbell did say that, “Saylor’s has a little something, and I don’t see him practicing Wednesday,” but nothing more was noted.
