As the Detroit Lions take the practice field in preparation for Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, coach Dan Campbell provided a few injury updates both for this week and the future. And it was mostly good news on all accounts.
Starting with running back Sione Vaki, who has missed the last four games with a groin injury. Campbell noted that Vaki participated in on-field work on Monday and is expected to practice the entire week with a good chance of playing on Sunday.
“Vaki practiced yesterday. He’s going to practice today. He’s going to practice Thursday after the day off,” Campbell said. “So we’re hopeful. He looked good. He looks good right now, and hopefully we can get him to the game. That’s the plan.”
Vaki’s return would give the Lions’ special teams unit a nice spark. The second-year running back has only played in a single game this year, but he managed to make a big tackle in seven special teams snaps against the Ravens. Last year, he had eight tackles on teams. He could also be one of the team’s kick returners, as he has been practicing when healthy.
It’s also mostly good news for starting left tackle Taylor Decker. Despite some aggravation of his shoulder injury in the Monday night game against the Buccaneers, Decker was on the practice field this Monday. And while he was out for Tuesday’s practice, they plan on getting him back out there on Thursday.
“I see him practicing tomorrow [Thursday, players are off Wednesday], not today. He did yesterday, but I don’t see him practicing today,” Campbell said.
The news was a little more mixed for Marcus Davenport, who has remained on injured reserve since suffering a chest injury in Week 2. Campbell insisted Davenport has been improving and will return from IR, but couldn’t offer a timeline.
“Nothing new on Davenport. He is improving, but I can’t give you a definitive ‘this is when he’s going to be back.’ I’m just very confident he is going to be back. We’re going to get him back here,” Campbell said.
In Davenport’s place, the Lions have used a rotation of Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyler Lacy, and Pat O’Connor on the edge.
The Lions won’t produce an official injury report until Wednesday, but here are the players missing from Tuesday’s practice:
- RB Craig Reynolds
- LT Taylor Decker
- EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
- S Kerby Joseph
Notable players who returned to practice after recent injury:
- RB Sione Vaki
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (evaluation window started)
- CB Terrion Arnold
- CB Avonte Maddox
Also notable: Reynolds and D.J. Reed (currently on IR) were working with trainers on the side.
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