Ahead of their regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions announced their Week 18 injury designations, and the week’s events have gone according to plan in terms of participation levels.
ruled out WR TE Brock Wright (groin), Jameson Williams (ankle), and EDGE James Houston (IR, ankle): 13 assessment days remain
For the third week in a row, tight ends Williams and Wright were unable to train; therefore, they will be excluded.
Williams’ injury is expected to keep Josh Reynolds, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, and Donovan Peoples-Jones in the starting lineup. Even though Raymond has more experience, Peoples-Jones is a more stylistically comparable player to Williams and would be simpler to replace one for the other.
After being a healthy scratch for the majority of the season, it’s also extremely likely that rookie Antoine Green will be available this week as a depth option.
It’s been getting better every single week, according to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who made this statement on Thursday. “We’re really happy with his execution and where he is in the offense.
Antoine Green is the same. He’ll rise to the occasion and be in a wonderful position if his number is called. Therefore, yes, if there are any physical issues (with Williams), those people are usually not present, and when they are, they give it their best.
After releasing Anthony Firkser on Thursday, Wright will miss his third straight game, leaving Detroit with just two tight ends on the roster. This week, the Lions could use a number of different substitution alternatives, or they could just go with two tight ends.
They could, for instance, re-sign Firkser to the practice squad and use him as a sixth offensive lineman, raise fullback Jason Cabinda from the practice squad, or even employ him as a sixth offensive lineman if he clears waivers.
Houston will not be reinstated from injured reserve this week, and head coach Dan Campbell seems to imply that it will be difficult for him to make a comeback for the Wild Card playoff game the following week. Although Houston is improving, more has to be done.
Dubious DT The evaluation days left for DT Alm McNeill (IR, knee) and LB Benito Jones (illness) are 18 DB. C.J. Gardner-Johnson (IR, pectoral): There are five evaluation days left.
Despite having a medical condition, Jones was able to resume a full practice on Friday and appears to be on track to play on Sunday.
This coming weekend, McNeill and Gardner-Johnson are anticipated to return from injured reserve and be eligible to play against the Vikings. Two roster spaces have already been freed by the Lions: Isaiah Buggs and
Firkser, in anticipation of their return.
Full practice
- TE Sam LaPorta (ankle)
- LT Taylor Decker (groin)
- C Frank Ragnow (toe/back/knee)
- RG Graham Glasgow (rest)
- CB Cameron Sutton (toe)
LaPorta was practicing in full on Friday and will be in the starting lineup against the Vikings. The Lions starting offensive line has taken their appropriate rest days and appears good to go for Sunday. Sutton got in a complete week of full practices and is also ready to play.
Vikings injury designations
Ruled OUT
- WR Jalen Nailor (concussion)
- RT Brian O’Neill (ankle)
- DL Jaquelin Roy (ankle)
- CB Byron Murphy Jr (knee)
- CB Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder)
- S Theo Jackson (toe)
Questionable
- LT Christian Darrisaw (illness)
- OG Ed Ingram (shoulder)
Not listed with an injury designation
- TE Nick Muse (knee)
- S Harrison Smith (shoulder)
