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Detroit Lions injury report updates vs Commanders: Melifonwu questionable to return
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- Detroit Lions injury report updates vs Commanders: Melifonwu questionable to return
The Detroit Lions injury report got longer during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday night against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions lost 45-31 despite being nine-point favorites at kickoff.
Cornerback Amik Robertson was lost on the Lions' second defensive snap of the game, injuring his elbow and being taken to a local hospital .
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The Lions only had two players ruled out prior the game from the active roster , though they have more than a dozen players on injured reserve.
The Lions returned co-starting running back David Montgomery , who missed the final three games of the regular season and was initially feared to be out for the season. He played through an MCL knee injury.
We'll keep this story updated during the game with Lions injury news and status reports.
REACTION: Detroit Lions waste of golden opportunity is just sickening. Be mad.
Ifeatu Melifonwu walks off field, goes to blue tent
Cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu left the field with six minutes to play in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. His return was announced as questionable.
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Melifonwu was attended to by two trainers and left the field. He was taken to the blue injury tent soon after.
Jared Goff returns to game after missing one drive
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) applauds for teammates art warm up before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who was suspected of sustaining a concussion, returned to the game with 1:46 to play in the first half.
Goff was evaluated for a concussion after throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Commanders defensive back Quan Martin . Goff was briefly taken to the locker room after being shoved to the ground.
Both teams scored an offensive touchdown while Goff was sidelined.
Goff evaluated for concussion
Lions quarterback Jared Goff was being evaluated for a concussion with less than six minutes to play in the first half.
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Goff was shoved to the ground after throwing an interception to Washington's Quan Martin, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Goff apparently hit his head when he fell from being blocked.
After the play he was taken to the locker room.
Robertson ruled out for rest of game
Lions cornerback Amik Robertson, who was injured two minutes into the game, was ruled out during the second quarter for the rest of the game with an elbow injury.
NFL.com reported that the was taken a Detroit-area hospital for further evaluation.
Robertson suffered what appeared to be arm injury while making a tackle with teammate Jack Campbell . He was taken to the locker room and did not return to the field.
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Robertson suffers injury, questionable to return
Lions cornerback Amik Robertson suffered an elbow injury less than two minutes into the game and was declared questionable to return.
Robertson was taken to the locker room with trainers holding his arm. It appeared that his left arm was hit by teammate Jack Campbell while making a tackle.
Montgomery returns, but Zeitler remains out
Running back David Montgomery officially returned to the Detroit Lions ' lineup as the list of inactive players was released 90 minutes before the game. Montgomery missed the final three games of the regular season with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
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Meanwhile, right guard Kevin Zeitler remained sidelined with a hamstring injury as does defensive lineman Pat O'Connor, who is out with a calf injury he suffered two weeks ago.
Teddy Bridgewater was announced as the No. 2 quarterback with Hendon Hooker declared as the Lions' emergency third quarterback.
Lions injury report vs Commanders
The Lions are without a lineman on each side of the ball, including starting right guard Kevin Zeitler, which means rookie Christian Mahogany , a sixth-round pick out of Boston College, will start in Zeitler's absence . Mahogany started one game in December at left guard.
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Out:RG Kevin Zeitler, hamstring.
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Out:DL Pat O'Connor, calf.
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Out:CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., hamstring/illness.
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Not listed:RB David Montgomery, knee.
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Not listed:CB Terrion Arnold , foot.
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Not listed:LT Taylor Decker , personal.
Montgomery, Arnold and Decker all participated fully in practice Friday and will play, barring a pregame setback.
FOLLOW ALONG: Lions vs Commanders score, live updates
The only player ruled out for the Commanders is reserve linebacker Jordan Magee.
Lions players on injured reserve include star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson , defensive tackle Alim McNeill and cornerback Carlton Davis III.
Detroit Lions injured reserve list
All 16 players on injured reserve as of the divisional round:
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DE Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg)
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DT Alim McNeill (knee, torn ACL)
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DT Kyle Peko (pectoral)
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DE Marcus Davenport (triceps)
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DE John Cominsky (knee, torn MCL)
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DT Mekhi Wingo (knee)
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DE Nate Lynn (shoulder)
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LB Derrick Barnes (knee, torn PCL and MCL)
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LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee, torn ACL)
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CB Khalil Dorsey (ankle)
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CB Carlton Davis (fractured jaw)
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CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring)
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WR Antoine Green (brain)
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OL Conner Galvin (knee)
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OL Netane Muti (shoulder)
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K Michael Badgley (hamstring)
Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage throughout the playoffs and all year long at freep.com/sports/lions .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions injury report updates vs Commanders for playoff game
