The Detroit Lions (2-2) and Arizona Cardinals (1-3) were back on their respective practice fields on Thursday in preparation for Sunday's game, and while the Lions still have a few players unable to practice due to injury, one key starter was able to return.
Let's take a look at Thursday's injury report and get you up to date with what we know.
Note: Any changes from the most recent injury report will be bolded .
G Ben Bartch (foot)
CB Rock Ya-Sin (Hamstring)
Bartch has now missed his eighth practice (and two games) due to his foot injury, and at this point, it's fair to expect him not to play this weekend, even if he is able to return to the practice field on Friday. With the bye week next up, Bartch will have some additional time to rehabilitate.
Ya-Sin missed his second practice in a row, and based on coach Dan Campbell's comments earlier in the week, his status for the game is in serious question. As for his replacement, while not a one-for-one swap, Campbell has already suggested that rookie Keith Abney and veteran practice squad safety Jalen Mills could be in line for more work this week.
C Cade Mays (wrist, IR) — Days remaining in evaluation window: 19
DL Tyleik Williams (foot) — Upgraded from no practice
EDGE DJ Wonnum (back)
S Brian Branch (achilles, PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation window: 19
Williams was injured late in Week 4 and was seen exiting Carolina in a protective walking boot, which he deemed was for precautionary reasons. He missed practice on Wednesday—which is common for a player injured in the previous week's game under this regime—but was back on the practice field on Thursday, putting him in position to have an opportunity to play in Arizona this Sunday. Williams will likely need a good practice on Friday, and typically a medical check on Saturday before the team travels, to be cleared, but there is some optimism here.
Mays and Branch continue to work through their 21-day evaluation window, while remaining on their respective injury lists. While we haven't heard much on Mays progress, Branch has certainly been getting a lot of attention, and on Thursday, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard suggested he's already looking good enough to play, but whether or not he does will come down to the Lions medical staff's decision.
"This dude looked like he hadn't been out. I'm serious. It looks like he hadn't been out. It's unbelievable," Sheppard said of Branch. "So, it's just a matter of, I'm going to lean on (Director of Player Health and Performance) Brett Fischer, (Head Athletic Trainer) Mike Sundeen, and, you know, our medical staff here. They've always done a tremendous job. And whatever they tell me, if that's 20 plays, if it's 30, if it's 50, I want it to be 60. But whatever they tell me, I'm going to allot that, and we're going to roll."
Wonnum was on last week's injury report due to his back injury, but he was able to get in limited practice and play in that game. While his situation still likely needs to be monitored, he's still in position to have a chance to play against the Cardinals.
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