The Detroit Lions released their Week 16 injury designations and three players are listed as questionable for this Sunday vs. the Bears.
The Detroit Lions (12-2) and Chicago Bears (4-10) have declared their injury designations ahead of the Week 16 NFC North battle and both teams are not yet ready to rule out several of their injured players.
Let’s take a look at Friday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note that any changes from yesterday’s report will be bolded.
Ruled OUT
- RB David Montgomery (knee) — appears to have avoided surgery
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin — Injury clock days remaining: 19
While there is currently optimism surrounding Montgomery’s eventual return, it’s always been clear he was not going to play this week. There’s still a possibility that Montgomery ends up on injured reserve on Saturday, but the Lions are still waiting on clarification from the league if he would be required to miss four weeks or four games—which is notable if the Lions end up with the No. 1 seed and have a bye during the Wild Card round.
“Optimistic with a couple of doctors that he saw, the last two,” coach Dan Campbell said on Friday. “So, I think we may see where this thing goes. We’ve still got a decision to make because even if that is the case—it’s a matter of, do you put him on IR, do you see how fast he can come back from it, all that. But it certainly sounds more optimistic, that’s probably the best way to say it.”
While Reeves-Maybin is practicing again, the Lions are in no rush to remove him from the evaluation window at this time and will slowly work him back into things.
“Yeah, really good to get him back out there,” Campbell said of Reeves-Maybin. “Yesterday was his first day, and so he’s another one – let’s just work yourself back into practice. And so we had him do a little bit of scout team, he did some individual (drills), and that’s the first step, that was good to see. I don’t see him playing this week, but that was good.”
Questionable
- LG Graham Glasgow (knee) — returned to practice on Friday
- S Brian Branch (calf)
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (finger) — Injury clock days remaining: 18
At his Friday press conference, Campbell noted that Ragnow would practice, as expected, but that Glasgow would likely sit out as he continued to recover. But when practice happened, Glasgow felt well enough to take the field with his teammates. While Ragnow is expected to start at center, Glasgow’s status is a little bit more in question. If he were unable to play, Campbell did note that both rookie Christian Mahogany and veteran Kayode Awosika have been practicing at both left and right guard in preparation.
“Yeah, comfortable (with Mahogany playing at left guard),” Campbell explained. “I would say we’re working he and (Awosika) Yode on both of those and working both sides, and (Michael) Niese has worked a little bit of right guard for us, too. But those two we’re really comfortable with.”
Branch took Wednesday off to rest an injured calf but returned to limited practices on Thursday and Friday. He is positioning himself to play this Sunday but the door is still open for a possible absence.
Melifonwu is still technically on injured reserve but his participation level this week has left the door open for a potential return to the active roster this weekend.
“So much of this was about getting his legs back under him, getting him comfortable this week,” Campbell explained about Melifonwu’s participation. “We’re not closed to (him returning this week), I’m not closed to that. He’s gotten a little better every day and he’ll go out there today and practice and we’re working him in some stuff, just to see where he’s at. But it’s good to have him back and it’s good to see him out there, functioning, working the position, and so that’s a good thing.”
If Melifonwu was removed from injured reserve, that move would likely come on Saturday. At this time, the Lions have two open spots on the active roster, so a corresponding move would not be required.
Not listed with an injury designation
- C Frank Ragnow (back) — returned to practice on Friday
- LB Trevor Nowaske (concussion)
Nowaske got in three full practices this week and appears to have positioned himself to return to his SAM linebacker role this week.
Bears’ injury designations
Note: Starters are bolded.
Ruled OUT
- OL Ryan Bates (concussion)
Doubtful
- RB Travis Homer (hamstring) — new to Friday’s injury report as limited
Questionable
- LT Braxton Jones (concussion) – full practice on Friday
- LG Teven Jenkins (calf) – returned to limited practice on Friday
- DT Gervon Dexter (knee) – returned to limited practice on Friday
- CB Jaylon Johnson (illness) — new to Friday’s injury report as DNP
Not listed with an injury designation
- RB Roschon Johnson (concussion)
- TE Marcedes Lewis (rest)
- EDGE Darrell Taylor (shoulder)
