The Detroit Lions will square off against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, their second divisional matchup in as many weeks. The Lions returned a few players injured last week to practice, and even had players injured in Week 1 practicing, but there were two starters missing from Wednesday’s activities.
Let’s take a look at Wednesday’s initial injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from last week will be bolded.
Injured list updates
- OT Jamarco Jones, Reserve/IR — Season ending
- G Miles Frazier, Reserve/PUP — eligible to return in Week 5
- EDGE Josh Paschal, Reserve/NFI — eligible to return in Week 5
- DT Alim McNeill, Reserve/PUP — eligible to return in Week 5
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Reserve/PUP — eligible to return in Week 5
Jones injured his ankle last Thursday, was placed on injured reserve
on Saturday, and by Monday afternoon, Lions coach Dan Campbell informed the media that Jones’ injury was season-ending. As of this moment, second-year offensive tackle Giovanni Manu appears the likely replacement, though it’s worth noting that veteran Kayode Awosika also has NFL experience playing tackle, and the Lions just signed Devin Cochran to the practice squad.
No practice on Wednesday
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) — New injury
- LB Jack Campbell (ankle) — New injury
Decker played every offensive snap in Week 1, and although he did not practice on Wednesday, he told the media after practice that he “just got some stuff that I’m dealing with, hopefully be out there on Sunday.” It’s not unusual for the Lions to take a very cautious approach with veterans dealing with injuries—especially those over 30 years old—so, we’ll have to wait and see if he’s practicing on Thursday.
Unfortunately, practice squad offensive tackle Dan Skipper—who seems like a candidate to be activated to Jamarco Jones’ previous role as OT3—was spotted at practice wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg and is still unable to practice at this time.
Jack Campbell played every defensive snap in Week 1, so it’s unclear when this injury happened or if it was something that popped up in recent days. We’ll have to monitor the situation for now, but if he can’t play, the Lions have multiple options to replace him, including shifting Alex Anzalone or Derrick Barnes inside or turning to veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham.
Limited practice
- RB Sione Vaki (hamstring) — Upgraded by returning to practice
- LB Trevor Nowaske (elbow) — Upgraded by returning to practice
Vaki and Nowaske were finally able to begin practicing after missing all of last week with their ailments. Vaki has been nursing a hamstring injury since the third day of training camp, while Nowaske’s injury only popped up within the last two weeks. Both are dynamic special teams contributors, and if they are healthy enough to play against the Bears, they could give a boost to a unit that has struggled of late.
Full Practice
- CB Terrion Arnold (groin) — Injured in Week 1
- S Daniel Thomas (hand) — Injured in Week 1
Arnold injured his groin on the second drive of Week 1, and while he tried to play through it, trainers eventually pulled him to avoid further damage. The decision appears to have been a smart one, as Arnold’s status was a bit up in the air on Monday, but he was able to get back on the field in full on Wednesday.
Thomas was also injured in Week 1, as he broke his hand in the first half of the game in Lambeau. Thomas told the media that he planned on playing with a cast on his left hand/wrist/arm, which he was able to do on Wednesday. Thomas is also a key special teams contributor, and his availability would be helpful for the unit.
No longer on injury report
- WR Isaac TeSlaa (illness)
- G Kayode Awosika (shoulder)
While TeSlaa was dealing with an injury that limited his practice and game participation last week, he is no longer on the injury report, and the team is expected to get him more involved moving forward.
“Yeah, well, I think we really wanted to try to get him involved last week, but then he got sick and wasn’t – he missed a lot of practice,” Campbell explained why the rookie wide receiver was limited. “So then we didn’t feel comfortable trying to load him up with stuff, and so it was going to be very limited. But certainly, we’d like to use him more. There’s something there, so. Looks like he’s back and feels pretty good, and it was good to see him make a play. He was only in three plays on offense, but he did a good job on those three, made that big catch. We’re going to start trying to get him some reps.”
Awosika was limited in the early portions of practice last week but was able to finish the week practicing in full and played on special teams in Week 1. He is expected to be fine moving forward.
Bears’ initial injury report
Coming soon.
