The Detroit Lions released their Week 11 initial injury report and while TE Sam LaPorta sat out Wednesday, LT Taylor Decker returned to practice.
The Detroit Lions (8-1) are hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) in Week 11 and both teams have a couple of key players injured that necessitate monitoring.
Just like last week, the Lions are starting the week slow and running a walkthrough to begin the practice portion of the week. Unfortunately, these types of practices are not open to the media, and therefore, today’s injury report will be based on how the coaches estimate players would have participated, had there been a full practice.
Let’s take a look at Wednesday’s estimated injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note that any changes from last week’s report will be bolded.
Injured reserve
- DT Brodric Martin (knee) — injured reserve, 21-day injury evaluation clock started
- DL John Cominsky (MCL) — injured reserve, could return in the Playoffs
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) — injured reserve, eligible to return in Week 14
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (pec) — injured reserve, 21-day evaluation clock started
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) — injured reserve, 21-day evaluation clock started
Reeves-Maybin was injured in Week 9 against the Packers, briefly exited the game but was able to return. When practice began in Week 10, he was absent all week and eventually placed on injured reserve. After missing the game against the Texans, he’ll be out a minimum of three more weeks and is eligible to return in Week 14, ironically when the Lions take on the Packers.
While Derrick Barnes suffered what was considered a season-ending injury (MCL and PCL tears, while his ACL remains intact, per Free Press’ Dave Birkett), he was in the locker room in Allen Park on Wednesday, noted that he is rehabbing with Aidan Hutchinson (per the Athletic’s Colton Pouncy), and said he’s had thoughts of a possible return—through he recognized those chances are slim:
Derrick Barnes made an appearance in the locker room today. Said he got on the exercise bike today.
In the very early stages of rehab. When asked if he was ahead of schedule he said, “I will be.”
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) November 13, 2024
No practice
- TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) — injured in Week 10
LaPorta was injured in the third quarter of last Sunday night’s game, exited the field for examination, and while he tried to return, he was unable to get back on the field. He’ll start the week by not participating—which is not unusual for players injured in the most recent game—and the Lions will take it slow in determining his availability.
“It’ll be day-to-day,” coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “But we don’t feel like this is something like, ‘Oh, man, this is going to be a long, nagging injury.’ I think we’ll get through it. I’m hopeful this week, but I can’t say that. He’s questionable.”
The Jaguars are 32nd in DVOA when covering tight ends, which could be a big opportunity for the Lions’ tight ends, most notably, Brock Wright if LaPorta is unable to play on Sunday.
Limited practice
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) — upgraded
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) — upgraded
Decker was injured in practice last Thursday, and like most midweek injuries, he could not be cleared in time to play on Sunday.
“It happened in practice, yeah. Rotator cuff strain, and then I’ve had shoulder surgery on this shoulder before with the labrum,” Decker told the media in the locker room on Wednesday. “Just irritated the labrum a little bit, and the week prior I had a pec strain on the same side. I know the play that happened that caused it, but I don’t know if it was maybe a compensation thing or whatnot. Hopefully, it’s not too long term.”
Decker returned for Wednesday’s walkthrough practice and is trending in the right direction to play on Sunday.
“As of right now, I do feel better about having Decker this week,” Campbell said on Wednesday. “he was out there at walkthrough, going through (practice). I feel like he is questionable, but I’m starting to feel like—I think he’s going to be able to make it (into the game). Tomorrow will tell a lot, certainly, that’ll be a full-speed practice for us.”
In the locker room following Wednesday’s walkthrough, Decker echoed Campbell’s comments, noting that his plan is to return to game action this week.
Taylor Decker hates not playing. Said he felt personally responsible for the first half vs. the Texans.
Says his plan, as of today, is to play vs. the Jaguars.
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) November 13, 2024
After being injured in Week 8, Rodriguez is returning to practice this week with the hopes of being cleared to play on Sunday. For each of the last two games, practice squader Abraham Beauplan was signed to the 53-man roster to give the linebacker room some depth, but he was released on Monday—and re-signed to the practice squad—which could be a good sign for Rodriguez’s health.
Full practice
- EDGE Za’Darius Smith (personal)
- DT Brodric Martin (knee) — Days remaining in injury evaluation window: 6
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (pec) — Days remaining in injury evaluation window: 13
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) — Days remaining in injury evaluation window: 13
Za’Darius Smith is practicing in full and is expected to make his Lions debut this Sunday.
Martin, Moseley, and Melifonwu continue to work through the evaluation process, and all have time remaining in their window so as to not rush a decision on their return until next week. That being said, if any are ready for return, the Lions do have an open spot on the roster after waiving Beauplan.
“(Moseley) and Iffy (Melifonwu) are in the same boat. We just take it as it comes and if they’re ready, they’re ready, and if not, then they’re not,” Campbell said at his press conference.
No longer listed on the injury report
- RB Sione Vaki (knee)
- EDGE Josh Paschal (illness)
- DL Mekhi Wingo (ankle)
The players in this section were previously on the injury report but are healthy enough to no longer require a designation.
Jaguars’ initial injury report
Full report below, but it’s worth immediately pointing out that quarterback Trevor Lawrence has already been ruled OUT:
#Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is out again this week, per coach Doug Pederson. Mac Jones starts again at Detroit.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 13, 2024
Note: Starters are bolded.
No practice
- QB Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder)
- RB Tank Bigsby (ankle)
Limited practice
- RB D’Ernest Johnson (hamstring)
- WR Brian Thomas (chest)
- WR Gabe Davis (shoulder)
- RG Brandon Scherff (knee)
- LG Ezra Cleveland (ankle)
- OL Blake Hance (knee)
- DL Maason Smith (ankle)
- EDGE Josh Hines-Allen (shoulder)
- CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder)
- S Daniel Thomas (hamstring)
Full practice
- RB Keilan Robinson (toe) — still on injured reserve
