Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell gave a couple of injury updates in his Monday afternoon press conference, and it’s mostly good news.
Let’s start with Amon-Ra St. Brown. I’m guessing many weren’t aware St. Brown was even dealing with an injury, as he never exited the game and wasn’t given a specific injury designation on Sunday. However, Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers noted that the Lions did not make him available in the locker room because he was getting treatment for a swollen ankle injury.
Campbell said they expect to sit St. Brown for Wednesday’s practice, but they’re optimistic he’ll be okay and are hoping he’ll be ready to go for Thursday.
“He and Ennis (Rakestraw), I think those guys will probably sit Wednesday, but the plan is to get them going Thursday, and I think that they’ll be fine. They should be good,” Campbell said, before adding. “Now, we’ll see when we get there, but—yep.”
St. Brown is coming off his best game of the season, hauling in nine catches for a season-high 153 yards. That’s the fifth-most yards he’s had in a single game for his career. Obviously, missing him would be a big deal, but Campbell doesn’t sound too concerned at the moment.
The Lions are expecting the same trajectory for cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, who did leave the game early with an ankle injury.
“It’s not major, he’s got a little ankle here,” Campbell said. “We feel like, as of right now, he’ll be at practice on Thursday. That’s kinda what we’re looking at. But we don’t feel like it’s major as of today.”
Rakestraw was part of a pretty massive cornerback rotation against the Packers. Rakestraw (21 snaps) shared playing time with D.J. Reed (61), Roger McCreary (67), Rock Ya-Sin (14), and Khalil Dorsey (14). It was a game plan inspired by the Dallas Cowboys’ attack against the Packers to keep the players fresh. Campbell said it’s an approach they will continue to consider moving forward.
“I think there was also merit for a number of those guys plays,” Campbell said. “Letting them all kinda play, getting some reps and using them in different situations, different packages.”
