The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have declared their Week 2 injury designations ahead of their Sunday divisional matchup. All week, media and fans have been focused on Lions starting left tackle Taylor Decker’s health updates, and he’ll enter this game with a questionable designation.
Decker has been unable to practice all week, but the Lions plan on giving him as much time as he needs to recover, and are even considering playing him this Sunday—as long as there’s no long-term risk.
“We’re just trying to buy him some time here, to where he feels better,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Friday. “A lot of it, too, is Decker’s played a lot of football. And so, he’ll be ready as long as it feels right. But yeah, we feel good right now. And there again, we still have another day here, and we’ll see. So, I can’t give you a definitive yes (he’ll play), but that’s where it’s at.”
On Wednesday, Decker said he hoping to play on Sunday, and then on Thursday, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said the team was expecting Decker to play. Campbell also made it clear that Decker “wants to play,” but he was also clear that they won’t risk it if there is potential for the injury to linger too long into the season.
“This is about the long-term season is what this is going to come down to. Just as far as what we do for this one,” Campbell said.
If Decker is unable to play, Campbell confirmed that the team would turn to Giovanni Manu to fill in as the team’s starting left tackle, something he’s been doing all week in practice.
“Well, he’s going to have to be ready. And he knows that, he’s been getting reps all week,” Campbell said of Manu. “I did think he practiced better these last two days, which is good. He’s part of a whole unit; he’s part of all five of those guys up there. He’ll be ready.”
When Manu was asked if he would indeed be ready to play this Sunday, Jeremy Reisman was there for his reply:
“Hell yeah. Against a divisional opponent? Hell yeah!”
Let’s take a look at Friday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the previous injury report will be bolded.
Ruled OUT
- LB Trevor Nowaske (elbow)
Nowaske had a week of limited practices, but it appears he’s still not ready to make his 2025 Lions debut.
Doubtful
- RB Sione Vaki
Vaki looked like he was close to returning to game action after getting in three limited practices this week. Both Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp have expressed their excitement surrounding Vaki’s potential return, as he is a dynamic contributor in the third phase of the game.
“Significant,”Campbell said on the level of impact Vaki would have on their special teams units. “Yeah, he’s an outstanding special teams player. Significant.”
It appears most likely Detroit will have to wait another week for Vaki.
Questionable
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
While Decker is listed as questionable on Friday, fans will want to keep an eye on any possible changes in Decker’s designation on Saturday, as is common. However, with the Lions playing at home this week, there’s no need to rush their options, and it’s possible this comes down to a game-time decision.
Joseph was a late addition to the injury report. He’s been fighting a knee injury since training camp, though it’s not clear if this is the same knee injury. He was officially limited in practice Friday, and because he was a late addition, we don’t have any clarity from the team on his status for Sunday.
Not listed with an injury designation
- LB Jack Campbell (ankle)
- CB Terrion Arnold (groin)
- S Daniel Thomas (hand)
Jack Campbell missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury but returned in full on Thursday. He joined Arnold and Thomas, who were injured in Week 1, but have both been practicing all week. All three appear good to go for Sunday.
Bears’ injury designations
Note: Starters are bolded.
Ruled OUT
- NB Kyler Gordon (hamstring)
Doubtful
- WR Jahdae Walker (ankle)
Questionable
- DT Grady Jarrett (knee)
Not listed with an injury designation
- RB Roschon Johnson (foot)
- WR DJ Moore (abdomen/groin)
- LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring)
- CB Jaylon Johnson (calf/groin)
- DB Josh Blackwell (groin)
As predicted by Campbell, the Bears return two starters that did not play in Week 1, Edwards and Johnson, while Gordon remains out. Both returning players should give the Bears’ defense a significant boost, while the loss of Gordon could be a big advantage for Lions All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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