The Detroit Lions (8-5) and Los Angeles Rams (10-3) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 15 matchup. The Lions’ starting safeties have incurred a couple of brutal blows this week,
both of which will likely jeopardize their seasons.
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
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
- S Brian Branch (Achilles)
Joseph has apparently suffered a setback with his knee, according to coach Dan Campbell, and is now a candidate for IR. Landing in IR at this time in the year would effectively end a season of frustration, where he’s continuously fought to get his knee rehabilitated.
“Kerby had a setback, so obviously, not as – don’t feel as good about that,” Campbell said on Friday
Branch being ruled out is a formality, as he has already had successful Achilles surgery and is expected to be placed on IR on Saturday.
Questionable
- RB Sione Vaki (thumb)
- WR Kalif Raymond (ankle)
- TE Shane Zylstra (knee, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 9
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- LG Kayode Awosika (foot)
- LG Christian Mahogany (fibula, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 18
- S Thomas Harper (concussion)
Vaki has been able to play through his thumb injury for a few weeks now and is expected to play this weekend, despite the questionable designation.
Raymond has been trending toward returning this week, and he should have a chance to be active on Sunday. If able to play, he should reassume his punt returner role and will contribute as a WR3 or WR4 option on offense.
Zylstra remains on injured reserve for the moment, but a questionable designation suggests there’s a chance he is removed from IR—likely this Saturday before the team travels to LA—and re-added to the 53-man roster. He’ll have a chance to step into a TE1 or TE2 upon his return to action.
Decker missed all three practices this week, which is mildly concerning, but this is something the veteran offensive lineman has done previously this year, so there’s still a realistic chance he can suit up on Sunday. It’s notable that “rest” was added to his injury report on Friday. If he’s not able to play, Dan Skipper would most likely step into the starting left tackle role, and his sixth OL role would be passed along to another reserve offensive lineman.
Mahogany has participated in three practices since his injury evaluation clock has started, and while it seems unlikely he’ll be activated from IR this week, the Lions have left the door open. Mahogany has said he doesn’t anticipate being in this recovery window for long, but it’ll likely be at least another week before he gets another shot to return to the active roster.
Awosika missed last week’s game but has been able to practice all week and will have a chance to start at left guard in this game. If the Lions feel like he’s not quite ready to return to that role, Detroit would then turn to Trystan Colon. Regardless of which player starts, there’s a good chance rookie Miles Frazier will cut into some of their reps as the Lions seem determined to get him more experience.
Harper has practiced all week, but Campbell wouldn’t go as far as to say that he’s cleared the NFL’s concussion protocols just yet.
“Harper will be out there at practice today, so feel pretty good about him, but we’ll see,” Campbell explained on Friday. “There again, I can’t give you a definitive right now, but that’s kind of where we’re at. So, we’ll be good.
If Harper is unable to clear on time—and with Joseph and Branch unavailable—the Lions will likely turn to Avonte Maddox and either Daniel Thomas or practice squad safety Erick Hallett.
“Look, Hallett’s been taking reps, (Thomas’) DT’s been taking reps, Maddox has been taking reps,” Campbell said Friday. “We’ve got plenty of guys. They’re getting valuable reps, so we’re good.”
The Lions also claimed Jalen Mills off waivers and signed Damontae Kazee to their practice squad this week, but the chances are neither will be up to speed enough to challenge for a heavy contributing role this weekend.
Not listed with an injury designation
- LB Alex Anzalone (illness)
Anzalone missed practice on Wednesday with an illness but he was abel to return to practice on Thursday and looks ready to play against the Rams on Sunday.
Rams’ injury designations
Coming soon.
