Dan Campbell updated the media regarding several injured Detroit Lions players, noting that he was expecting many to return to practice next week. Here’s everything we know:
The Detroit Lions have been hit by the injury bug of late but things appear to be trending up. According to coach Dan Campbell, the team is expecting to return most of their injured player ahead of the regular season.
“As of right now, I think there’s a good chance we’re going to have most of our guys ready for Week 1.”
One of the biggest position groups to be impacted by the injury bug has been the secondary, but Campbell did mention that he was expecting most of the recently injured defensive backs to return soon—including many as soon as this week.
“Ennis (Rakestraw) will be back out there today (Tuesday),” Campbell said. “Carlton Davis will be limited today, Amik (Robertson) will be limited today, and (Terion) Arnold will not be back (today). I think there’s a chance we could get him middle of the week, next week—get in a practice before the guys go on their break. But, he is trending the right way, I’m not concerned.”
Several other injured players are also expected to return next week, following the Lions’ third preseason game.
“We’re hoping the day after the Pittsburgh game (which will be played on Saturday)—I think we’re going to get a lot of guys back,” Campbell continued. “We’re shooting for Skip (Dan Skipper), (Kevin) Zeitler, (Sam) LaPorta, (Jahmyr) Gibbs, Rodrigo (Malcolm Rodriguez), and I think we may start (DJ) Reader up too. Start working him in individuals. So we’re hoping to get a whole group of guys back on Sunday.”
Reader is currently still on PUP, and despite having a minor rehab setback in June , he looks like he could be closing in on being removed from the injury list. If he and the others follow the timeline laid out by Campbell, it would give the players a full week’s worth of work before they open the regular season schedule of practices as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams on “Sunday Night Football” on September 8.
Here’s a quick update on the Lions current injured players:
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring): expected to return to practice next week
“With Gibbs, our plan is to get him going next week,” Campbell said. “He’s trending the right way […] We wish we had more practice with him, but as far as the health of it, he is healing and he’s on schedule to be back, so he can get his legs back under him.”
- RB Jermar Jefferson (undisclosed): no update
- WR Tre’Quan Smith (undisclosed): placed on injured reserve
- TE Sam LaPorta (hamstring): expected to return to practice next week
- OL Kevin Zeitler (shoulder): expected to return to practice next week
- OL Dan Skipper (ankle): expected to return to practice next week
- DL DJ Reader (hip, PUP): expected to return to practice next week
- EDGE James Houston (knee): no update
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (undisclosed): expected to return to practice next week
- LB Malik Jefferson (undisclosed): placed on injured reserve
- CB Carlton Davis (hamstring): practicing, but limited
- CB Terrion Arnold (pec): expected to return to practice mid-week next week
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (ankle): expected to return to practice Tuesday
- CB Amik Robertson (undisclosed): practicing, but limited
- DB: Brian Branch (undisclosed): no update
- OL Christian Mahogany (illness) remains on NFI but Campbell did update his status:
“He’s with us (in Allen Park). He’s been down there with (director of sports performance) Mike Clark and (head strength and conditioning coach) Josh Schuler and those guys, just trying to get his legs back under him. Conditioning, strength level, and he’s trending the right way. I can’t give you a timetable but he’s doing well. It’s good to have him here.”