The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 16 matchup in downtown Detroit. There are a lot of moving parts along the Lions’ interior offensive line right now, as several starters are dealing with injuries or attempting to return from one.
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.
Ruled OUT
- OT Giovanni Manu (knee, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 19
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Manu returned to practice this week, but with only two practices under his belt, he’s not ready to return to action just yet. He still has over two weeks remaining in his injury evaluation window, so the Lions are in no rush to return him quicker than necessary.
Joseph has now missed five practices since coach Dan Campbell noted that the All-Pro safety had a setback last week, and he looks no closer to returning than he did two months ago. It may be just a matter of time before he is placed on injured reserve.
Questionable
- C Graham Glasgow (knee)
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- LG Christian Mahogany (fibula, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 11
- OL Trystan Colon (wrist)
- CB Amik Robertson (hand)
Glasgow was estimated to have been able to practice on Wednesday during the Lions walkthrough, but he showed up as a non-participant on Thursday, was still unable to practice on Friday, and has been listed as questionable. If he is downgraded or ruled inactive for this game, the Lions will most likely turn to Trystan Colon—as they have done previously—but he is also dealing with an injury and is listed as questionable. If Colon is unable to play, the Lions will likely turn to Michael Niese (who was the Lions’ backup center last season) or practice squader Kingsley Eguakun.
“We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Friday. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.”
Decker missed practice on Wednesday and Friday, but got in a Thursday practice, which is more than he was able to do in Week 15. He’s been getting considerable rest as the season has progressed, so this pattern is not unusual, and he is expected to start at left tackle on Sunday.
Mahogany has made steady progress toward returning from injured reserve, and he’ll have a chance to see that happen this weekend. If he is activated, expect him to jump back into his starting left guard role, but there’s still a chance he will need another week before he’s ready.
“Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said of Mahogany. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.”
Colon has been limited in practice this week, but he’s been present and participating in all three. If he’s able to play through his wrist injury, he’ll potentially have a chance to fill a big role against the Steelers.
Robertson has been practicing with a club/brace on his hand, and he has suggested that he will have a chance to play in this game with its protection. Robertson has previously played with a club on his hand (in college) and has noted he is familiar with its limitations.
Not listed with an injury designation
- RB Sione Vaki (thumb)
- LG Kayode Awosika (foot)
- S Thomas Harper (concussion)
Vaki has been playing through a thumb injury for several weeks now, but he was fortunately able to return to a full level of participation this week, suggesting he is very close to putting the injury behind him.
Awosika missed the previous two games with a foot injury, but he’s been practicing in full this week and looks ready to return to the game day roster. Depending on how things shake out with the rest of the interior offensive line, there’s a chance Awosika could be called upon to start at left tackle this week.
Harper was unable to clear the NFL’s concussion protocols last week, but he’s been practicing in full this week and appears close to being able to return to game action. If cleared, he’ll return to the starting free safety role, likely starting alongside Avonte Maddox.
Steelers’ injury designations
Ruled OUT:
- LG Isaac Seumalo (triceps)
- EDGE T.J. Watt (lung)
- CB James Pierre (calf)
Doubtful:
- EDGE Nick Herbig (hamstring) – started for Watt last week
Questionable:
- LS Christian Kuntz (knee)
Not listed with an injury designation:
- QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist)
- WR Ben Skowronek (illness/hand)
- LT Andrus Peat (concussion)
- C Zach Frazier (triceps)
- DL Cam Heyward (rest)
- DT Keeanu Benton (ankle)
- DT Derrick Harmon (knee)
- S Jabrill Peppers (illness)
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