The Detroit Lions (4-1) and Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) were back on the practice field on Thursday, and the Lions were able to return two of their starting receivers to practice.
Let’s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded.
No practice
- RB Sione Vaki (groin)
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring)
- CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Vaki and Cunningham continue to miss practice. With just one practice remaining, coupled with time missed, it’s unlikely either would be ready to play on Sunday.
Decker is “trending in the right direction” to play against the Chiefs, according to Dave Birkett of the Free Press, but fans should be cautious in getting their hopes up, as the Lions are taking a long-term approach to Decker’s rehabilitation process. Add in the fact that the Lions signed Dan Skipper to the active roster this week, and guarded optimism is recommended.
Arnold isn’t expected to play this week, based on the roller coaster of reports surrounding his injury, so another missed practice isn’t a surprise.
Joseph was able to miss two practices last week, return to a limited practice on Friday, and play on Sunday. Lions fans should be hoping for the same this week, and the fact that he was spotted working with trainers off to the side of practice suggests it’s possible they repeat last week’s path to Sunday.
Limited practice
- WR Kalif Raymond (neck) — upgraded from no practice on Wednesday
- OT Giovanni Manu (knee) — downgraded from full practice on Wednesday
- DB Brian Branch (ankle)
- DB Avonte Maddox (hamstring) — downgraded from full practice on Wednesday
Raymond suffered a scary neck injury against the Bengals, so it was not a shock that he missed Wednesday’s practice. He was spotted with trainers on Wednesday and returned to practice on Thursday, suggesting he’s on track to play against the Chiefs, but neck injuries are tricky, and teams tend to be very cautious with them.
Branch is practicing despite his ankle injury and appears on track to play this weekend.
Maddox being added to the practice report is not ideal, given Detroit is already shorthanded at cornerback with D.J. Reed and Arnold’s injury. Maddox could be in line to be the starting nickel vs. the Chiefs, so let’s hope this is just a minor hamstring injury. Detroit did sign Arthur Maulet to their practice squad this week, and he has plenty of experience at nickel.
Manu being added, too, could be problematic. He started at left tackle last week with Decker out, and it’s unclear what his status is this week. That said, Skipper could be the answer, if need be.
Full Practice
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist) — upgraded from no practice on Wednesday
- DT Alim McNeill (ACL — Still on PUP) — Days remaining on clock: 12
St. Brown showing up on this week’s injury report was a bit surprising, but him getting back to practice on Thursday was not. It’s rare for St. Brown to practice and not play in the upcoming game, so there’s significant optimism that he will be available on Sunday, and he expressed such optimism with media on Thursday.
”I feel all good,” St. Brown said. “It’s been bugging me for a little (while), but (Wednesday was) just a day to really rest, get my legs back under me. Nothing to worry about. It’ll be all good.”
After getting a projected 50/50 chance of playing last week and stacking back-to-back full practices, McNeill looks on track to potentially be activated from the PUP list this week. The Lions still have time on McNeill’s evaluation clock if they wish to slow down his return to play, but things look very positive right now.
Chiefs’ injury report
Note: starters are bolded.
Did not practice on Thursday
- WR Xavier Worthy (shoulder/ankle)
Full practice
- QB Patrick Mahomes (groin)
- RB Kareem Hunt (calf)
- WR Hollywood Brown (ankle)
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)
- RT Jawaan Taylor (knee)
- DT Omarr Norman-Lott (shoulder)
- DE Charles Omenihu (ankle)
- LB Nick Bolton (calf)
- LB Jeffrey Bassa (knee)
- CB Kristian Fulton (ankle)
See More:
