As Detroit's 2026 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 13 against New Orleans nears, the Lions listed just one player with an injury designation on their Friday injury report.
Defensive back Christian Izien was listed as questionable after being a limited participant for the third straight day with his groin injury.
"He's doing well. We felt really good about him. He's close. I want to see what he looks like running around today and then knowing that we're going on a short week after this, that'll have a bearing on it, too. But, he's moving around really well. I feel like he's a little ahead of schedule in a good way. We'll see," Campbell said of Izien's injury status on Friday morning.
Lions/Saints Friday practice reports with game desingations
for Sunday: pic.twitter.com/6wrR7yeAtp
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 11, 2026
Izien, 26, signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Lions in March.
Unfortunately for Izien, three consecutive limited practices puts him behind the eight-ball in terms of being elevated to active on Sunday. The Lions' Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills is Thursday, Sept. 17. With that short turnaround, if Izien misses the opener, he could miss each of the Lions' first two games of 2026.
Izien has played in 45 games and started 15 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over his first three NFL seasons, where he has recorded 165 tackles, five passes defended, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
Seven other Lions have been listed on Detroit's injury reports this week. Rookie EDGE Derrick Moore (hamstring), defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (groin), cornerbacks Keith Abney II (hand) and Ennis Rakestraw (ankle), linebackers Trevor Nowaske (knee) and Jimmy Rolder (hamstring) and safety Thomas Harper (ankle) were all listed as full participants on Friday.
A final game status update on Izien will be provided Sunday morning, as the Lions and Saints are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Fox at Ford Field.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lone Detroit Lions player questionable vs. New Orleans Saints
