The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) have declared their initial Week 16 injury reports as they prepare to face off in Week 16. Both teams are dealing with a few key injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
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 reserve updates
- TE Brock Wright (neck, IR) — Eligible to return in Week 18
- LT Giovanni Manu (knee, IR) — Evaluation clock started
- LG Christian Mahogany (fibula, IR) — Started injury evaluation clock
- LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring, IR)
With Manu returning to practice, the Lions have used seven of their eight return-from-injured-reserve spots—that includes Mahogany, who is also currently in the injury evaluation window—leaving them one available for the remainder of the regular season. Wright has been seen at practice working with trainers, so he appears to have a better chance of returning than Cunningham, but it’s worth pointing out that Wright is not eligible to begin practicing until Week 18. However, if the Lions make the playoffs, they are given an additional two return-from-IR spots, which they could use as needed.
No practice
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Decker has routinely taken practices off throughout the season, even missing all three practices in Week 15, but the extra time off has worked, and he’s been available to play on game day. Expect him to continue to get time off as the season progresses.
Joseph suffered a setback last week, according to Campbell, and at this stage of the season, it’s fair to wonder if he will be able to recover from this latest obstacle in time to play this season.
Limited practice
- RB Sione Vaki (thumb)
- OL Trystan Colon (knee) – Injured in Week 15
- OT Giovanni Manu (knee) — Evaluation clock started— Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 21
- CB Amik Robertson (hand) — Injured in Week 15
Vaki has been able to practice and play through his thumb injury for a few weeks now, and he looks to be on that same track to start this week of practices.
Trystan Colon is a new addition to the injury report, but given some improved health at the guard position—more on that in a minute—he may be moved to a reserve role this week anyway.
Robertson injured his hand in Week 15 and needed to exit the game, but on Monday, coach Dan Campbell gave an optimistic update on his potential availability.
“Hand injury, so it’s something that could affect him a little bit. But I think we’d like to believe he’s going to have a chance to play here. But until we get through practice, we won’t entirely know,” Campbell said.
Full practice
- LG Christian Mahogany (fibula, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 13
- LG Kayode Awosika (foot)
- S Thomas Harper (concussion)
Mahogany continued to work through the injury evaluation window and could possibly return to game action this week. Last week, he was initially given a questionable designation on Friday before being ruled out on Saturday, suggesting he is making progress toward returning. A full practice could mean he returns to play on Sunday.
Awosika got in three limited practices last week, was given a questionable designation, but was ruled inactive just ahead of game time. It’s unclear if something happened in warmups or if his foot didn’t improve as expected, but a return to full practice this week suggests he’ll have a chance to help reinforce the Lions’ interior offensive line.
Harper participated in all three practices last week, but was not able clear the NFL’s concussion protocols on time to play in the game. A full practice suggests he’s near the end of concussion protocol, which is good timing since Erick Hallett was poached from the Lions practice squad this week.
No longer on the injury report
- WR Kalif Raymond (ankle)
- TE Shane Zylstra (knee)
- LB Alex Anzalone (illness)
The players listed in this section have improved enough that they no longer need to be included on the injury report.
Steelers’ initial injury report
Did not practice:
- LG Isaac Seumalo (tricep)
- EDGE T.J. Watt (lung)
- EDGE Nick Herbig (hamstring)
- CB James Pierre (calf)
Limited practice:
- WR Ben Skowronek (illness/hand)
- LT Andrus Peat (concussion)
Full practice:
- QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist)
- DT Derrick Harmon (knee)
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