Sam LaPorta among several Lions injuries in first half vs. Cardinals

The Detroit Lions have a long injury list after the first half against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Detroit Lions suffered several injuries in the first half of their Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals, including one to tight end Sam LaPorta.

Dan Skipper

The Lions opened the game with a couple of jumbo plays, including Skipper as the extra tackle. He would leave after the second play with an injury, but he quickly put his helmet back on and appears ready to return, if necessary

Levi Onwuzurike

First, Levi Onwuzurike gingerly walked off the field on just the second defensive snap of the game. Thankfully, he returned to the game, but it’s something to keep an eye on going forward.

Terrion Arnold

Next, it was rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, who suffered a knee injury and was announced as questionable to return. He appeared to get injured after Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray ran into his legs on a scramble. Arnold tried to test his leg on the sidelines for several minutes, but sat for a full drive. He did eventually return, though, for the Cardinals’ third drive. While Arnold was sidelined, veteran corner Kindle Vildor filled in for him.

Derrick Barnes

The most concerning of the injuries is to Derrick Barnes, who was carted off with a leg injury after being hit with a cut block. Barnes has been an integral piece to the defense, playing the SAM linebacker role. And with the Lions already shorthanded at linebacker—Alex Anzalone was inactive as he works his way back from a concussion—Detroit will have to rely on their reserves if Barnes can’t return to the game. He is officially questionable to return with a knee injury, per the team. In the meantime, veteran Ben Niemann took his spot at the SAM linebacker position.

Sam LaPorta

Then, as the half was coming to an end, tight end Sam LaPorta was the next to get hurt. On a trick play from the offense, LaPorta got rolled up on by a defender. He, too, was carted off.

UPDATE: Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, LaPorta has made his way back onto the field out of haltime.

Alim McNeill

Finally, on Arizona’s final drive of the half, Alim McNeill left the game after walking off the field gingerly under his own power. There is no current update on his status either.

We will update this post with injury updates as they come in.