The Detroit Lions (5-2) and Minnesota Vikings (3-4) will square off in Week 9, and with both teams coming off an extended break—the Lions were on a bye and the Vikings last played on Thursday of Week 8—the practice schedules have been slightly altered this week.
For the Lions, they held practices on Monday and Tuesday, gave players Wednesday off, and will follow that up with two more practices on Thursday and Friday to wrap up the week. Because the first injury report of this week is due out on Wednesday—and the players were not in Allen Park—this practice report is only an estimation of how coaches believed players would have participated, had there been a practice.
With that in mind, 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.
Injured list updates
- TE Shane Zylstra (ankle, Reserve/IR)
- LT Giovanni Manu (knee, Reserve/IR) — eligible to return in Week 11
- G Miles Frazier (undisclosed Reserve/PUP)
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (pectoral, Reserve/IR)
- EDGE Josh Paschal (undisclosed, Reserve/NFI)
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL, Reserve/PUP) — injury evaluation clock has started
- LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring, Reserve/IR) — eligible to return in. Week 13
- CB D.J. Reed (hamstring/IR) — eligible to return in Week 10
- CB Khalil Dorsey (concussion, wrist, Reserve/IR) — eligible to return in Week 11
- S Daniel Thomas (forearm, Reserve/IR) — injury evaluation clock has started
Davenport remains on injured reserve, and while Lions’ coach Dan Campbell gave no firm return date, he was adamant that the Lions’ edge rusher will return this season:
“Nothing new on Davenport. He is improving, but I can’t give you a definitive, ‘This is when he is going to be back.’ I am just very confident he is going to be back.”
Thomas had his 21-day injury evaluation window opened on Monday, while Rodriguez saw his opened on Tuesday. Both players will have up to three weeks to be examined by the Lions coaching staff, and during that time, they are eligible ot practice. Both can be removed from their individual injury lists at any time.
Reed is not eligible to return to practice for another week, but he was spotted at practice working with trainers, which is typically a milestone before taking the next step in his recovery. If he’s getting some training work in now, there’s a chance he could see his injury evaluation clock start as early as next week.
No practice
- RB Craig Reynolds (hamstring) — New injury
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Craig Reynolds suffered a mid-game injury against the Buccaneers and is still dealing with a hamstring injury. He was seen working with trainers during Tuesday’s practice, indicating his injury may not be considered too serious, but he’ll need to improve this week to make it on the field.
Joseph missed last game with a knee injury he’s been managing all year. A missed practice doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll miss another game, but it’s something to continue to monitor this week.
Limited practice
- RB Sione Vaki (groin) — Upgraded, returned to practice
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) — Upgraded, returned to practice
- EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (hamstring) — New injury
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 19
- DB Avonte Maddox (hamstring) — Upgraded, returned to practice
- S Daniel Thomas (forearm, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 18
Vaki missed their first two games of the season, returned in Week 3, only to injure his groin and sideline him for the next four weeks. Now, coming out of the bye, Vaki looks set to return again, assuming he suffers no setbacks in practice this week, according to Campbell on Tuesday:
“Vaki practiced yesterday. He’s going to practice today. He’s going to practice Thursday after the day off. 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.”
Decker was shut down for two games but returned to limited practices in Week 7 (save Friday when he did not participate), and he played against the Buccaneers. While he seemed frustrated by his lingering shoulder injury following the game, he was back on the practice field for both practices this week—even though Campbell previously said they may rest him on Tuesday.
Muhammad did not practice on Tuesday when the Lions were on the practice field, but coaches estimated he would have been able to get in a limited practice on Wednesday if the Lions had practiced. That’s a good sign for Thursday, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Maddox has also missed the previous two Lions games and was able to return to practice this week. While the Lions have gotten significant contributions from their young secondary, getting the veteran Maddox back would further strengthen that unit.
Full Practice
- CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder) — Upgraded, returned to practice
Arnold made a surprising return to practice in Week 7, only to be shut down for the week, resulting in a second missed game. The plan was for Arnold to return to practice again this week and see how he is feeling. So far, he looks on the right track for a potential return to game action in Week 9.
No longer on the injury report
- DT Alim McNeill
- DT DJ Reader (back)
McNeill was removed from the PUP list in Week 7, and despite being projected to be on a snap count, he played a full complement of snaps and looked like he was ready to contribute at full capacity moving forward.
Reader was limited for every practice in Week 7, but he was able to play against Tampa Bay, and was practicing to start this week as well. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get veteran rest days throughout the season.
Vikings’ initial injury report
Note: Starters are bolded.
Did not practice
- FB C.J. Ham (hand)
- TE Josh Oliver (foot) — already ruled OUT
- CB Jeff Okudah (concussion)
Limited practice
- RT Brian O’Neill (knee)
- LB Johnathan Greenard (ankle)
- CB Isaiah Rodgers (shoulder)
Full practice
- QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle)
- LT Christian Darrisaw (knee)
- EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) — hopes to play, still uncertain
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