Injury designations: 2 Lions players ruled out vs. Cardinals

2 Detroit Lions have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, but it’s mostly good news on the final injury report.

The Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals have released their injury designations ahead of their Week 3 matchup. While the Lions will be missing two defensive backs in this game, they’ve returned a player to practice every day this week and are progressing toward a healthier team.

Let’s take a look at Friday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Of note, any changes from yesterday’s report will be bolded.

Ruled OUT

• CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring)
• S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle)

Rakestraw injured himself in warmup ahead of the Bucs game and has been unable to practice all week, so him being ruled out was anticipated. Soft tissue injuries have a wide range of recovery, so it’s possible he could return next week, or could possibly miss multiple weeks.

For the third game in a row, Melifonwu has been ruled out. Through three weeks of the season, he has only practiced once, as his “slow healing” ankle injury continues to keep him out. While the Lions have considered placing him on injured reserve, according to coach Dan Campbell, nothing is imminent.

“Yeah Brad [Holmes] and I have talked about that,” Campbell said of placing Melifonwu on injured reserve. “He’s progressing, he really is. He’s progressing. I would say no (to injured reserve). Now, that can change depending on if something happens here with everything else, the rest of the roster. But, right now, I don’t feel that way and he is getting better.”

Questionable

• WR Isaiah Williams (abdomen)
• LG Graham Glasgow (knee)
• LB Alex Anzalone (concussion)
• CB Terrion Arnold (illness) — returned to practice on Friday

Williams was injured just over seven days ago and missed the Lions’ Week 2 game. He was able to return to practices this week and has been stacking positive days.

Glasgow missed Wednesday’s practice but was able to get on the field on Thursday and Friday and should be ready to go for the game, according to Campbell.

“Yeah, he’s good. He’s doing well,” Campbell said. “We took care of him on Wednesday, but he came back yesterday, practiced, no issues and so he should be good.”

Anzalone took a brutal blow to the head last Sunday, and while he missed Wednesday’s practice, he was practicing in limited fashion on Thursday as he continues to work his way through the NFL’s concussion protocols. His availability hinges on how quickly he progresses, so his status is currently in limbo. For what it’s worth, he was still limited on Friday.

“(Alex has) been going through the protocol, and he was out there (yesterday),” Campbell said on Friday. “He ran around a little bit, and we’ll see where he’s at today. There again, it’s hard to say. You just never know with the concussion protocol.”

Arnold missed two days with an illness but was able to return to the facilities on Friday and was practicing. Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers caught up with Arnold in the locker room following practice and confirmed the rookie had a stomach bug that he has gotten past and plans on playing this weekend.

Not listed with an injury designation

• WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (quad)
• EDGE Marcus Davenport (groin)
• S Kerby Joseph (back)

None of the players in this section carry an injury designation into this game and are considered good to go against the Cardinals.

Cardinals’ injury designations

Questionable

• RT Kelvin Beachum (hamstring) — injured on Thursday, no practice Friday
• WR Greg Dortch (hamstring) — injured on Friday
• DL Dante Stills (shoulder) — missed last week, limited all week

With two mid-week hamstring injuries to offensive starters, the Cardinals could be forced to alter their game plan late in the week. If Beachum can’t go, they’ll turn to Jackson Barton who was recently promoted from the practice squad to start at right tackle—likely opposite NFL sack leader Aidan Hutchinson. Dortch is the Cardinals’ starting slot receiver and punt returner, so multiple adjustments may need to be made if he misses the game.