The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) have declared their Thursday injury reports as they prepare to face off in Week 16 at Ford Field.
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.
No practice
- C Graham Glasgow (knee) — New injury
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Glasgow was not on the injury report on Wednesday, but was added with a knee injury on Thursday, which is a less-than-ideal situation. Mid-week injuries can often be too challenging to overcome, but with the Lions holding a walkthrough Wednesday, it may not be as bad as it appears on the surface.
It’s worth noting that until last week, Glasgow was previously listed with a knee injury, so his not practicing could mean that he either: Needed a rest day because his knee was still bothering him (a common practice with veterans), or he is dealing with a new injury/reaggravation that prevented him from practicing. Unfortunately, that leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions and a wide range of outcomes for his availability on Sunday.
Joseph continues to miss practice after suffering a setback last week, and it’s fair to wonder if he’ll play again this season, or if the Lions will consider shutting him down.
Limited practice
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) — Upgraded from no practice
- OL Trystan Colon (knee)
- OT Giovanni Manu (knee, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 20
- CB Amik Robertson (hand)
Decker returned to practice on Thursday after taking Wednesday off to rest his shoulder. It’s common for him to miss a practice or two each week, so there isn’t anything concerning with his health at this stage of the week.
Colon is sorting through a new injury this week, but he’s practiced both days, which puts him on track to be available for the Lions this weekend. Fortunately for the Lions, Kayode Awosika and Christian Mahogany—who are both ahead of Colon on the depth chart—are practicing in full this week, helping the Lions solidify some interior offensive line depth.
Manu has officially returned to the practice field (Wednesday’s practice was a walkthrough and an estimated participation level), thus starting his injury evaluation clock. He’ll now have 21 days in the window to be evaluated by the coaching staff, who have already set their eyes on getting him ready for the 2026 season.
“I think for Gio, he needs reps,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “Practice reps, get out there against our defense, against (Marcus) Davenport and (Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch in real-time practice. There’s not a ton of them, and it’s not like training, but he just needs reps, man. He cannot get enough reps. And if we’re able to use him or there’s something there this year, that’s a bonus. It’s really about getting him—will this set him up better for next year? Training camp, going into that next year. That’s really it.”
Robertson was practicing with his hand injury and is currently trending toward playing, potentially with a club on his hand, according to yesterday’s locker room conversation with Jeremy Reisman.
Full practice
- RB Sione Vaki (thumb) — Upgraded to full practice
- LG Christian Mahogany (fibula, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 12
- LG Kayode Awosika (foot)
- S Thomas Harper (concussion)
Vaki continues to play through his thumb injury and has even shown a bit of a spark on special teams in recent games. This is the first full practice he’s gotten in some time, so he’s almost certainly good to go this week.
Mahogany got in a full week of limited practices and continues to make progress toward returning from injured reserve this week. The Lions are hopeful they can get him back this weekend and start him at left guard on Sunday.
“Last week, certainly was, ‘Okay, that looked pretty good.’ But also knew he wasn’t ready. So, we’re hopeful,” Campbell said of Mahogany possibly returning to game action this weekend. “It’s a good question. I mean, I’m kind of hoping. It looks pretty good. I hope he feels good, but we’ll know more really by Friday. So, full speed (Thursday), Friday he’ll go through, and then we’ll see if he can go.”
Awosika returned to practice last week but was unable to play in the game. However, he’s increased his participation levels this week, suggesting he may be on track to return and could end up starting at left guard if needed.
Harper has now stacked multiple practices, and while he wasn’t able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocols last week, his chances look improved based on his participation levels. The Lions would greatly benefit if he were able to return to a starting safety role.
Steelers’ injury report
Did not practice:
- LG Isaac Seumalo (triceps)
- C Zach Frazier (triceps) — added to report on Thursday
- EDGE T.J. Watt (lung)
- EDGE Nick Herbig (hamstring)
- DL Cam Heyward (rest) — added to report on Thursday
- CB James Pierre (calf)
- S Jabrill Peppers (illness) — added to report on Thursday
Limited practice:
- WR Ben Skowronek (illness/hand)
- LT Andrus Peat (concussion)
- DT Keeanu Benton (ankle) — added to report on Thursday
- LS Christian Kuntz (knee) — added to report on Thursday
Full practice:
- QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist)
- DT Derrick Harmon (knee)
From our Steelers brother site: Steelers insider says T.J. Watt’s status remains in doubt
“Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show said Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan that the organization would be “very lucky” if outside linebacker T.J. Watt is able to return in time for the playoffs. Watt is currently sidelined after suffering a punctured lung in what has been described as a freak accident related to a medical needling procedure, an injury that forced him to miss Monday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins.“
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