The Detroit Lions (5-2) and Miami Dolphins (1-6) have declared their Week 9 injury designations, and the Lions will be missing multiple starters, including one on offense, three on defense, and one not yet cleared from his injury list—all of which we knew ahead of time, based on coach Dan Campbell's comments throughout the week.
Let's look at Friday's practice report and get you up to date on what we know.
Note: Any changes from the most recent injury report will be bolded .
C Cade Mays (ankle) — Preparing for Juice Scruggs to start
EDGE DJ Wonnum (concussion)
LB Jack Campbell (neck)
CB D.J. Reed (hip)
S Kerby Joseph (knee, PUP) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 11
Mays is dealing with a low ankle sprain, which typically keeps players out at least a week, and potentially as long as a month, so him being ruled out of this game was expected. How quickly he recovers is still to be determined, but the Lions have been highly fortunate to have Juice Scruggs stepping into the starting center role, and they've been planning on him starting since the beginning of this week.
Wonnum is still working through the NFL's concussion protocols and won't be able to return in time for this game. With head injury recovery times varying by individual, it's unclear how long he will need before he is cleared. Second-round rookie Derrick Moore is expected to increase his role in Wonnum's absence, and Campbell is seeing improvement:
"It was unfortunate we lost Wonnum, but yet, now (Moore) gets more reps. And the reps that he got are valuable, man. There's no way to duplicate real in time game reps against good opponents and you see growth, you see growth. I saw growth in practice yesterday. So, the more he plays, the better he's going to get. And we love where he's going right now."
Jack Campbell continues to improve, per Dan Campbell, but he should be considered out indefinitely until otherwise clarified.
"Jack continues to improve, which is all great news," Dan Campbell said on Friday.
Reed said he felt good in the locker room following the game, but he was not cleared to practice this week and will miss this game. Campbell noted that he's very confident with the team's depth:
"(Ennis) Rakestraw is getting better. Rock (Ya-Sin) looks healthy and is playing good football. (Roger) McCreary, too. So, I just feel like these guys are starting to play pretty good football for us. And (Khalil) Dorsey, man, Dorsey's contributing in a big way. So, I like where we're at and it's really a pretty depthwise, it's a pretty strong room. So yeah, I don't like the though of not having Reed, but at the same time, I'm encouraged. I'm encouraged. I think we'll be OK here."
Joseph is looking "better than anticipated," according to safeties coach Jim O'Neil, but Campbell made it clear earlier in the week that the plan was to keep him out for another game, then continue to ramp up his participation levels next week, as he nears a return.
"It's been great. Two weeks ago, it was classroom work, where we were really locked in. Then it was walkthrough and individual. Yesterday was his first team practice and he looked a lot better than what I anticipated him looking (like). So it was very encouraging. So now he's gotta stack multiple days. He's got to stack them, so today will be a big day for him, but he looked awesome yesterday at practice," O'Neill said on Friday.
RB Sione Vaki (ankle) — added to the injury report on Friday
RB Jacob Saylors (neck)
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (rib)
Vaki was unexpectedly absent from Friday's practice and has been given a questionable designation heading into this weekend's game. Beyond that, the extent of his injury is unknown, and we may have to wait until Saturday—to see if he travels with the team—or even game time on Sunday, to find out his availability.
Saylors has dealt with a neck injury for two weeks and couldn't finish Week 7's game against the Vikings because of it. Look for the Lions to be cautious in his return, but with Vaki also questionable, the Lions could end up with a depth issue at running back.
St. Brown was injured in Week 7 but told the media on Thursday that, "I'm a little banged up, but I'll be alright," and is anticipating playing against the Dolphins.
LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (toe)
CB Rock Ya-Sin (cramps)
S Brian Branch (concussion)
Ogbongbemiga was estimated to have been a limited participant on Wednesday and a full participant after that, and with him not carrying an injury designation, he should be good to go, giving the Lions special teams work and linebacker depth.
Ya-Sin dealt with cramps earlier in the week but still practiced in full each day. He's potentially in line to challenge for a starting role this week with Reed sidelined.
Branch is nearing the end of the NFL's concussion protocol, and Campbell said he expects him to be cleared and ready to play on Sunday.
"I think (Brian Branch) BB's going to be good here. We'll get through today, and I think we'll be OK."
Coming soon.
