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Detroit Lions Free Agency Injury Report: Payton Turner, DE
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- Detroit Lions Free Agency Injury Report: Payton Turner, DE
After the Marcus Davenport experience , Lions fans are not too keen on taking on another defensive end with a significant injury history. Maybe the team will have better luck with Payton Turner in 2026.
Here is the excerpt of my medical report on Payton Turner :
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(The following information and analysis is based on available public information. Age in parentheses is at start of 2026 season.)
Payton Turner , DE (27)
Contract: pending
Concern level 10/10
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2025: 0 games. Missed entire season with rib fracture injury.
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2024: 16 games. Toe injury aggravation. Missed 1 game with knee.
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2023: 2 games. Toe injury including 2 dislocated toes and torn ligaments, which necessitated surgery.
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2021: 5 games. Shoulder injury, to IR .
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College: Season-ending foot injury.
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High school: Missed most of senior year with ACL tear.
Turner did not play last season due to a rib fracture. Since a rib fracture typically does not keep a player out long-term and often can even be played through, his lengthy stint on IR could be due to "coach's decision" more than injury. There shouldn't be residual issues if it's a simple rib fracture, but the reason for the lost season needs investigation. If he truly missed the entire season for a rib injury, that's a problem.
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While the rib isn't likely a major concern, the toe/foot history certainly is. Severe toe injuries have a high risk of residuals (see Frank Ragnow ), and Turner has already had aggravations following his toe surgery in 2023. This is all on top of another significant foot injury in college.
Turner's shoulder injury and ACL might be in the rear-view mirror, but both could carry their own residuals.
The lack of action in over a year along with the multiple toe/foot issues plus significant knee & shoulder injuries all adds up to a very high concern level.
On the optimistic side, he had a mostly reliable 2024 season and is still just 27 years old.
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Given the Lions recent history of injuries, there is understandably some consternation about Brad Holmes signing a high-risk player. The counterpoint is that there are 90 preseason roster spots, so taking a flyer on one isn't a big deal. I doubt there will be much, if any, guaranteed money. And like the reader below states, Turner is not guaranteed to make the 53-man roster.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions Free Agency Injury Report: Payton Turner, DE
