The Detroit Lions (3-1) and Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 5 matchup this Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at the latest injury reports and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded.
Ruled OUT
- DT Alim McNeill (ACL — Still on PUP) — Days remaining on evaluation clock: 18
- RB Sione Vaki (groin)
- LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (concussion, wrist)
Despite coach Dan Campbell saying that Alim McNeill had a 50/50 chance of playing this Sunday, the Lions have decided to be cautious with his recovery, and he will remain on the PUP list. McNeill still has 18 days remaining in his evaluation period, and based on how coaches have publicly discussed his potential playing time this week, a return for next week’s game against the Chiefs seems very realistic.
Vaki has now missed six straight practices with his groin injury, so it’s no surprise he was ruled out for this Sunday. There’s hope he will be able to return in the next two weeks, which would give the Lions’ special teams a boost.
Cunningham has now missed four practices since injuring his hamstring and won’t play in the Lions game against the Bengals. The writing was on the wall here after the Lions signed fellow linebacker Ty Summers to the active roster earlier this week.
Dorsey had been working his way through the NFL’s concussion protocols this week. He was able to practice on Thursday, but it appears he also suffered a wrist injury at that time, which may also be limiting him.
Questionable
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Decker missed another full week of practices, and despite the questionable designation, is still expected to start at left tackle this weekend.
“It’s not easy. There’s very few players that can get away with that,” Campbell said of Decker playing despite missing practices. “And normally, if you’ve got a lot of ability, you’ve played a lot of snaps, you understand your own body pretty good, and you can find a way. So, what he’s done has been pretty impressive. It really is. Like I say, he’s been pushing through it, and I know it’s not up to his standards. What I’ve told him is that you’re helping us win these games. […] Went through the same thing with Frank (Ragnow). Frank never thought he was playing up to his standards even though it was winning football, sometimes when you deal with these physical issues that you have. So, is it just about trying to calm this shoulder down and get him to where he feels like man, I’m at least 80 percent, 85 percent of what I am.”
Joseph returned to practice on Friday, as expected, and like Decker, he’s likely to start despite the missed practice time. Campbell also confirmed that Joseph has been dealing with two separate knee injuries, one suffered in training camp and another from last week’s game.
“I wouldn’t say it’s something out of the norm, but there have been some things he has been dealing with physically. This one’s a little different from what he got in the game, but I think we’re on the uptick with him,” Campbell explained.
Not listed with an injury designation
- CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder)
Arnold wasn’t able to finish last week’s game against the Browns, but he’s been practicing all week, and with no injury designation, should be ready to start on Sunday.
Bengals’ injury designations
Note: Starters are bolded.
Ruled OUT
- DE Shemar Stewart (ankle)
Questionable
- WR/KR Charlie Jones (achilles)
Not listed with an injury designation
- C Matt Lee (knee)
- TE Noah Fant (concussion)
- DT B.J. Hill (rest)
- DB Dax Hill (rest/knee)
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