The Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks have declared their injury designations ahead of their matchup on MNF, and the Lions returned several players, while the Seahawks DL is decimated.
The Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks have declared their injury designations ahead of the “Monday Night Football” showdown to wrap up Week 4. Let’s take a look at each team’s designations and get you up to date with what we know.
Placed on Injured Reserve
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle)
After missing the first three games of the season, Melifonwu looked no closer to returning to practice as the Lions headed into Week 4. On Saturday morning, when Campbell was asked if there was a clear picture of when Melifonwu may return, his answer was less than enthusiastic: “No. There’s really not.”
Now we know why, as Melifonwu has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the next four games. The Lions now have an open spot on the active roster.
Ruled OUT
- C Frank Ragnow (pec)
With the bye week looming, the Lions plan on taking things slow with Ragnow and he was ruled out as anticipated, based on comments from coach Dan Campbell earlier this week. On an encouraging note, at this time, it looks like Ragnow will avoid a stint on injured reserve—but nothing is settled just yet.
“I don’t feel that way, I really don’t,” coach Dan Campbell said of Ragnow possibly going on injured reserve. “Frank heals up really quickly, normally. He does, he heals pretty quick. He’s already starting to feel a lot better. So, I don’t feel that way, but we’re still early (in the evaluation process) here.”
Additionally, Campbell provided an update on rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (who is on the Lions NFI list), indicating that Mahogany is getting close to starting his injury evaluation window, which is a precursor to him joining the 53-man roster.
Questionable
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring)
After not practicing in Week 3, Rakestraw returned to limited practices in Week 4 and will carry a questionable designation into the game against the Seahawks. While Seattle has three explosive receivers to account for, the Lions have a lot of depth in the secondary if Rakestraw needs more time to recover.
Not listed with an injury designation
- TE Sam LaPorta (ankle)
- OT Dan Skipper (ribs)
- DT Alim McNeill (shoulder)
- DL Levi Onwuzurike (knee)
- LB Alex Anzalone (concussion)
- S Brian Branch (concussion)
LaPorta didn’t practice to start the week but he was practicing in full by Friday and all indicators are that he’ll be good to go for Monday night.
“He looked really good yesterday,” Campbell said of LaPorta Saturday morning. “That was good to see. So he’s bounced back quickly, healed up nicely, and so he’s good.”
Skipper, like LaPorta, didn’t practice on Thursday but returned in full on Friday, indicating he should be good to go.
McNeill was injured against the Cardinals in Week 3 and was unable to finish the game. Despite what looked like a significant injury, McNeill managed to practice everyday this week, getting in a limited practice on Thursday and full practices after that.
Onwuzurike was also injured in Week 3, but he managed to finish the game, then practiced at the same level as McNeill, which likely means he’ll be ready to roll on Monday.
Anzalone practiced in full all week, which likely indicates he has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and should be ready to play against the Seahawks.
Branch was limited on Thursday, then got in two full practices, which also indicates he is close to, or has cleared the NFL’s protocols as well. If cleared, he’s start on Monday.
Seahawks’ injury designations
OUT
- DT Leonard Williams
- EDGE Boye Mafe
- DT Byron Murphy
- EDGE Uchenna Nwosu
These are notable absences because these four players are the preferred defensive front when the Seahawks are in their nickel formation—which is their primary set. Nwosu has yet to play this seasons, but Maye currently leads the Seahawks in sacks (3) and pressures (17), Williams is third in both categories, while Murphy—the Seahawks first round pick—was fifth in pressures.
Questionable:
- LB Jerome Baker
