The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens will square off in Week 3, in a cross-conference battle between two of the NFL’s heavyweights. With this game being held on “Monday Night Football,” the Lions’ schedule gets a bit of a delay this week. The first official injury report is released on Thursday, followed by an update on Friday, and injury designations must be declared on Saturday.
The Lions finished Week 2 with seven players on their injury report, but five were able to play against the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, a few players were dinged up during the game, resulting in one player being placed on injured reserve and another seeking a second opinion on his medical status.
Let’s take a look at Thursday’s initial injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from last week will be bolded.
Injured list updates
- TE Shane Zylstra (ankle), Reserve/IR, eligible to return in Week 7
- G Miles Frazier (undisclosed), Reserve/PUP — eligible to return in Week 5
- EDGE Josh Paschal (undisclosed), Reserve/NFI — eligible to return in Week 5
- DT Alim McNeill (ACL), Reserve/PUP — eligible to return in Week 5 — Promising update
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ACL), Reserve/PUP — eligible to return in Week 5
Zylstra injured his ankle on his third special teams snap against the Bears in Week 2 and was forced from the game. He was spotted in the locker room in a walking boot, and it appears that his injury will keep him out for a while. By being placed on injured reserve, he will be required to miss the next four games, at a minimum, and then he will be eligible to return once he is healthy.
McNeill delivered a very positive update to Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers, suggesting he feels 93-94% of the way through his rehabilitation process. And while McNeill feels like he could play now if needed, he also understands the value of seeing the rehabilitation process through to its conclusion. As Jeremy Reisman points out in a recent article, fans need to be patient with McNeill’s return, as he is not eligible to return until at least Week 5 and will then have to undergo a multi-week reacclimation process before returning to play.
No practice
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- LB Jack Campbell (ankle) — Downgraded from full last week
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (chest) — injured in Week 2
Decker missed every practice last week and still played in virtually every snap last Sunday (except when the starters were pulled), so on the surface, this looks like a rest-and-monitor situation. Lions fans should be paying attention to his progress, but it’s nothing to get overly worried about at this time.
Campbell missed last Wednesday’s practice, then returned in full the remainder of the week and played every defensive snap (save when the starters were pulled), so this also looks like a rest-and-monitor situation.
Davenport was injured twice on Sunday, with each injury requiring him to leave the game for a period of time. Fortunately, he was able to return to game action following his brief time out and was made available for the media in the locker room. However, on Wednesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell said the team is currently getting opinions from multiple doctors on Davenport’s injuries, and his Thursday update didn’t provide much clarity.
“Davenport, we won’t know until the end of the week. We’re still getting tests and doctors looking at stuff,” Campbell said on Thursday.
Interestingly, Davenport’s injury is listed as a chest injury after being diagnosed as a shoulder injury in the middle of the game.
This is a wait-and-see situation for a player with a long injury history, which is not ideal, but there is still a chance he is able to return to practice later in the week and play on Monday.
Limited practice
- CB D.J. Reed (knee) — NEW addition to the injury report
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
*UPDATE* Reed was originally left off the injury list by mistake, but the Lions sent out a statement updating the media of the omission.
Reed played on nearly every defensive snap in Week 2 (save when the starters were pulled), did not appear to have suffered an injury during the game, and did not appear to be injured in the locker room post-game. It’s possible that his knee issue popped up in the days after the game, or that he was injured during Thursday’s practice. We’ll have to wait for an update on his status.
Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury since late in training camp, but the Lions have managed it well, keeping him available and ready for game day. Don’t be surprised if the Lions continue to give him some rest periods and allow him to rest his knee.
Full Practice
- RB Sione Vaki (hamstring) – Upgraded from limited last week
- LB Trevor Nowaske (elbow) – Upgraded from limited last week
Sione Vaki was able to return to limited practices last week, but was given a doubtful designation and was made inactive for the game. Campbell suggested earlier in the week that the plan was for Vaki to return to regular practices this week, and an upgrade to full practice suggests he’s ready to play.
Nowaske returned to limited practices last week but was ruled OUT when it was time to make injury designations. Now upgraded to full, he should have a chance to play on Monday, if there are no setbacks.
No longer on injury report
- CB Terrion Arnold (groin)
- S Daniel Thomas (hand)
Arnold was injured in the Lions’ Week 1 game but practiced in full all last week and played a full allotment of snaps. Now completely off the injury report, he should be good to go.
Thomas broke his hand in Week 1 and has been wearing a cast since. He’s managed to play through the injury and should be able to continue his responsibilities without much issue.
Ravens’ initial injury report
Note: Starters are bolded
Did not practice on Thursday
- FB Patrick Ricard (calf)
- DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck)
- EDGE Kyle Van Noy (hamstring)
- CB Nate Wiggins (groin) — hoping he can return to practice this week
Limited practice
- RB Rasheen Ali (concussion)
- TE Isaiah Likely (foot)
- NT John Jenkins (Personal)
Full practice
- CB Marlon Humphrey (groin)
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