As the Detroit Lions (1-1) enter Week 3 of the 2026 season, they will finally get back to a “normal” in-season workweek. Coming off a Thursday night game, the Lions got a couple of extra days of rest before practices this week, spending most of that time in the film room correcting mistakes, but now that Wednesday has arrived, they’re back on the practice field as they prepare to host the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.
Let’s take a look at Monday’s injury report and get you up to date with what
we know.
Note: Any changes from the most recent injury report will be bolded.
Injured list updates
- RB Isiah Pacheco (MCL/Back) — injured reserve, expected to be out until December
- C Cade Mays (Wrist) — injured reserve
- OL Giovanni Manu (Undisclosed) — NFI
- S Brian Branch (Achilles) — PUP
- S Kerby Joseph (Knee) — PUP
- S Avonte Maddox (foot) — injured reserve, expected to be out for the season
A new NFL rule allows any player on PUP to open their return-to-play practice window after just two weeks into the regular season, but unfortunately, neither Branch nor Joseph is healthy enough to begin that process this week.
“I think Branch has a chance to be back sooner than Kerby, but it won’t be this week,” coach Dan Campbell told the media on Monday.
While Branch is consistently making progress, every update on Joseph gets bleaker by the report. On Tuesday, Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket that Joseph continues to work to strengthen his knee, and despite being in this stage of recovery for roughly a year, he’s still not ready, with no clear sign of when that will happen.
“It’s going to come as it comes, and he’s not ready,” Campbell explained. “We’re trying to get him there as fast as we can, and we’re trying to be as smart about it as we can. And if he’s ready, when he’s ready, of course we want to play him and get him on the field.”
Things got even tougher at safety, as Maddox injured his foot in Week 2 and will miss the remainder of the season after requiring surgery.
No practice on Monday
- G Ben Bartch (foot) — New injury
- DT Alim McNeill (personal) — New addition
- S Thomas Harper (ankle) — New injury
Batch did not appear to suffer an injury against the Bills last Thursday, but it’s possible his injury showed up after the fact, as we saw with Blake Miller in Week 2. We won’t get an official update on his status until coach Dan Campbell speaks with the media again on Friday, but he’ll be a name to watch when the Thursday injury report is released.
McNeill’s absence was expected, as Campbell notified the media ahead of practice and suggested that it was a non-issue:
“Mac won’t be out there. There’s nothing to it. He’ll be back ready. I mean, he’ll be back here probably just when practice ends, so no big deal and be ready to roll.”
Harper, like Bartch, didn’t appear to suffer an injury in Week 2, but with Maddox landing on injured reserve and neither Branch nor Joseph ready to return, this situation is potentially very concerning. While it’s not 100% certain that he is next in line to step into the starting lineup, if he can’t go, the Lions secondary would be limited to just Chuck Clark and Christian Izien as capable starters. Though this week the Lions added safeties Jalen Mills (practice squad) and Bishop Fitzgerald (53-man roster).
Limited practice
- LG Christian Mahogany (hip) — returned to practice after missing last game
- RT Blake Miller (knee) — returned to practice after missing last game
- RG Tate Ratledge (elbow) — New injury
- EDGE Ahmed Hassanein (illness) — New injury
Campbell had previously noted that Mahogany was expected to practice this week, and he did indeed get some reps in. He’s likely not out of the evaluation process yet, but he looks on track to have a chance to play in this game. With Bartch not practicing on Wednesday, Mahogany’s injury status will be important to track this week.
Miller would have had a chance to play in Week 2 if the game was on Sunday, rather than Thursday, according to Campbell, and is expected to have a chance to return to the starting lineup this Sunday. The rookie right tackle was sorely missed against the Bills and could be a huge catalyst for the Lions offense against the Jets’ stout defense in Week 3.
Ratledge also didn’t appear to suffer an injury in Week 2, so his injury is a bit of a surprise, though a limited practice can be encouraging. We should learn more in tomorrow’s report and at Campbell’s presser on Friday.
Hassanein dealing with an illness opens up a wide range of possibilities, but fans can hope it’s something simple like the flu, which is very common this time of the year in Michigan. If his illness does keep him out of this game, it likely won’t have much impact on game planning, as he’s been a healthy scratch so far this season.
Full practice
- LS Hogan Hatten (wrist) — New injury
Hatten was injured covering a punt in Week 2, but a full practice is a good sign that there isn’t too much to be worried about. A wrist injury is not ideal for a long snapper, but this early participation level is a great sign he is likely to play on Sunday.
No longer on the injury report
- C Juice Scruggs (knee)
- DB Christian Izien (groin)
The players in this section were on last week’s injury report but are now healthy enough to no longer be on the daily injury report.
Jets’ initial injury report
Coming soon.
