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Lions Injury Report: Every Detroit Player Currently Sidelined
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- Lions Injury Report: Every Detroit Player Currently Sidelined
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Detroit Lions have now completed six practices of training camp, and while the team has dealt with its fair share of bumps and bruises, things have gone about as well as Detroit could have hoped. Injuries are an unavoidable part of training camp, but the Lions have managed to avoid any significant setbacks to their biggest stars. With just over a month remaining before the regular season begins, staying healthy remains one of the organization's top priorities.
Before Monday's practice, the Lions made a pair of roster moves. Detroit signed tight end Nick Muse while releasing wide receiver Tarik Black . Those moves came shortly after another change at tight end following an unfortunate injury.
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Veteran tight end Anthony Firkser suffered the most serious injury of Monday's practice. Firkser exited early after what appeared to be a lower-leg injury and was later diagnosed with a broken fibula. It is a tough break for the veteran, who had just signed with Detroit on Friday. The Lions had previously released tight end Zach Horton to make room for Firkser, but after the injury, Detroit reversed course by bringing Horton back and placing Firkser on the Reserve/Injured list.
The linebacker room has also taken a couple of hits early in camp. Rookie Jimmy Rolder continues to recover from a hamstring injury, and head coach Dan Campbell said the fourth-round pick will be out "for a while." Rolder had been receiving valuable reps before the injury, making his absence a disappointing setback as he continues his transition to the NFL.
The injuries for former Michigan Wolverines did not stop there. Rookie edge rusher Derrick Moore also suffered an injury during camp. Campbell said Moore is expected to miss between seven and 10 days, which is encouraging considering the injury initially appeared more concerning. Detroit hopes to have the second-round pick back on the practice field before the preseason wraps up.
There was also positive news regarding two of the Lions' most important defensive players. Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, but both participated in conditioning work off to the side during Monday's practice. Branch was seen backpedaling and changing directions while wearing his practice jersey and appeared to be moving well.
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Another tight end suffered an injury during practice as undrafted rookie Miles Kitselman was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury. Campbell later said Kitselman will also be out "for a while," adding another injury to a position group that has already seen multiple roster changes during camp.
Running back Sione Vaki also found himself dealing with an unusual injury. Campbell explained that Vaki suffered a broken nose after being poked in the eye during practice. Fortunately, the injury is not expected to have any long-term effects.
"He's going to be out for a little while, but his vision should be OK in time," Campbell said. "He's just going to need a minute here. It was just one of those freak things."
Wide receiver Lawrence Keys is also dealing with what Campbell described as "a little bit of a hamstring" injury. The issue does not appear to be serious, but it is something worth monitoring as camp continues. Keys would end up being waived later that day and Detroit would find a temporary replacement for Vaki by signing former Carolina Panthers RB, Raheem Blackshear .
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The newest injury concern came on Monday when linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez left practice early after suffering an apparent ankle injury. Rodriguez was taken inside to be evaluated, and the severity of the injury is not yet known. Detroit can ill afford another injury at linebacker after already losing Rolder for an extended period. If Rodriguez were forced to miss significant time, it would leave the Lions thinner at one of their most important defensive positions.
Despite the growing injury list, the overall outlook remains positive. Most of the injuries have occurred to depth players or have been considered minor, and Detroit has avoided losing any of its franchise cornerstones. With no major injuries to players like Jared Goff , Amon-Ra St. Brown , Aidan Hutchinson , or Penei Sewell , the Lions have successfully navigated through camp without a significant injury to any major players.
Training camp is always a balancing act between preparing for the season and keeping players healthy. Through six practices, the Lions have largely accomplished both. Detroit will now look to continue building momentum while hoping the injury report gets shorter—not longer—as the regular season draws closer.
