The Detroit Lions (7-4) and Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) have declared their initial Week 13 injury reports as they prepare to square off in an NFC North showdown on Thanksgiving Day.
With the short week ahead, the Lions are planning on running walkthroughs (the Packers are expected to do the same) as they position themselves to allow their bodies to recover from their overtime win over the Giants last Sunday. That means this week’s practice participation levels will be estimated by the coaching staff, projecting each injured player’s involvement had there been a regular practice on that day.
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 Sam LaPorta (back, IR) — Likely out for the season after surgery
- TE Shane Zylstra (ankle, IR)
- LT Giovanni Manu (knee, IR)
- LG Christian Mahogany (knee, IR) — eligible to return in Week 14
- G Miles Frazier (knee, PUP) — injury evaluation clock has started
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (shoulder, IR) — injury evaluation window has started
- EDGE Josh Paschal (back, NFI) — injury evaluation window has started
- LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring, IR) — eligible to return at any time
The bad news:
It looks like Sam LaPorta is done for the year. Last Friday, Lions coach Dan Campbell revealed that the All-Pro tight end’s back required surgery and his recovery time will likely end his season.
“Sam did have a procedure, and he’s going to be out for a while, a while,” Campbell said. “I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season at some point. I think that (chance) is very, very slim.”
The good news:
The Lions were able to remove linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (PUP), corner D.J. Reed (IR), and corner Khalil Dorsey (IR) from their injury reports over the weekend, while edge rusher Josh Paschal and rookie guard Miles Frazier are in the final days of their injury windows. Edge rusher Marcus Davenport still has over a week remaining in his evaluation window, but it’s possible we see him before that expiration date.
No practice
- WR Kalif Raymond (ankle) — Injured in Week 12
- TE Brock Wright (neck) — Injured in Week 12
- C Graham Glasgow (knee) — Downgrade
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Raymond was injured in Week 12 and was forced from the game. He was spotted in the locker room walking with a limp and exited with a walking boot, likely for precautionary reasons. It’s not surprising that he would not be available to practice on Monday, and there is likely some concern surrounding his ability to recover ahead of Thursday’s game.
Wright was briefly looked at by trainers after taking a big hit on the sidelines, but finished the game. It’s hard to know at this point if his absence is precautionary of if his status is in doubt. With LaPorta out, this is one to keep monitoring.
Glasgow has done a good job of managing any injuries that have come his way this season, and hopefully, this is nothing more than that.
Joseph has missed the past five weeks’ worth of practices and games, and with the team only holding walkthroughs this week, it’d be a stretch to see him recover in time to play on Thursday. That being said, Joseph is a veteran and shouldn’t be ruled out just yet.
Limited practice
- RB Sione Vaki (ankle/thumb) — Thumb injury is new
- RB Jacob Saylors (back/knee) — Knee injury is new
- WR Isaac TeSlaa (hand) — Hand injury is new
- RT Penei Sewell (ankle)
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
- RG Tate Ratledge (knee)
- CB Terrion Arnold (concussion) — Upgraded from no practice
- S Brian Branch (toe/ankle)
Vaki continues to manage injuries, which have come in bunches for him in what’s been an unlucky sophomore season. Expect him to push through his ailments and still be impactful on special teams. A hand injury, though, could limit his impact.
Saylors was dealing with a back injury last week, and now, after playing special teams vs. the Giants, has an additional knee injury. A limited walkthrough is promising he’ll still be available this week, but you never know with the short turnaround.
TeSlaa’s oblique injury is no longer listed, but he’s dealing with a new hand injury. With Raymond’s status in doubt this week, TeSlaa could be called upon to have a much bigger role vs. the Packers.
Sewell finally went through a game without suffering a new injury, something he hasn’t done in a month. The Lions will take it easy on him on a short week, but he appears to be in a good spot.
Decker has routinely taken time off to deal with a lingering shoulder injury, but he’s been able to play through it for some time now. It looks like the Lions have a good plan in place to keep him rested ahead of games.
Ratledge didn’t seem hampered by his knee injury against the Giants, and he also looks to be on track to start on this short week.
Arnold returned to practice in a limited fashion, his first practice since suffering a concussion. He still has progress to make it through concussion protocol, but this opens the possibility of him playing on Thursday.
Branch was limited last week, but managed to play every defensive snap in the game. Hopefully, this is just a precautionary measure.
Full practice
- G Miles Frazier (knee, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 1
- EDGE Marcus Davenport (shoulder, still on IR) — Days remaining in evaluation: 8
- EDGE Josh Paschal (back, still on NFI) — Days remaining in evaluation: 1
Frazier has one more day remaining in his injury evaluation window before a decision needs to be made surrounding his status. Campbell noted that they’ve been cross-training him at guard and tackle in hopes that he can step into a reserve role once activated.
Davenport appears close to returning, but it’s unclear how quickly that will happen. With over a week’s worth of time available in his injury evaluation, the Lions won’t feel rushed to make a move on a short week. That being said, a decision will need to be made before the Lions host the Cowboys in Week 14.
Paschal’s name doesn’t come up much when Campbell is asked about players close to returning to the field, which could indicate he may need more time to rehabilitate. But a full practice could leave the door open for a return this week.
No longer on the injury report
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee)
- CB D.J. Reed (hamstring)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (wrist)
The players in this section were on last week’s injury report but did not carry an injury designation into the game and played their expected allotment of snaps. Look for Rodriguez, Reed, and Dorsey’s involvement to increase as they re-acclimate to game action, now that they have been removed from their respective injury lists.
Packers’ initial injury report
Note: Starters are bolded.
Did not practice
- WR Savion Williams (foot)
- EDGE Lukas Van Ness (foot)
- DL Karl Brooks (ankle)
- CB Keisean Nixon (neck)
Limited practice
- RB Josh Jacobs (knee)
- WR Matthew Golden (wrist)
- WR Jayden Reed (foot/shoulder, still on IR)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (calf)
- RT Zach Tom (back)
- LB Quay Walker (neck)
- LB Edgerrin Cooper (foot/shoulder)
- CB Nate Hobbs (knee)
- S/NB Javon Bullard (ankle)
Full practice
- QB Jordan Love (left shoulder)
- WR Christian Watson (knee)
- WR Romeo Doubs (wrist)
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