Higher-profile players potentially returning from injury have become one of the defining storylines for a dominant Lions team, as the Lions will need to give careful consideration as to whom they choose to activate from IR. A role player is the next man up here, however.
The NFC North-leading team is opening Kalif Raymond
‘s practice window Thursday. Raymond has been on IR with a foot injury
since late November. After missing the necessary four games, Raymond is back in the mix. The wide receiver/return man will not count toward Detroit’s activations until officially moved back onto the 53-man roster.
Four activations remain for the Lions, who also have linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the IR-return window. However, an offseason rule change has freed up two more IR activations for teams during the postseason. The Lions may have those two spots earmarked for injured standouts, so they will need to be careful in the near term. But Raymond appears on track to be one of Detroit’s returning players soon.
The team has already used two activations on safety Ifeatu Melifonwu . David Montgomery is not in this equation, having not been placed on IR; the starting running back is viewed as a player who could return in the playoffs . Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone , however, are in play to be activated. The team will need to save enough activations to accommodate that trio. Linebacker Derrick Barnes also may be in the mix to come back , but he has not been designated for return.
Teams regularly take short-term approaches to their IR-return puzzles, activating players who are ready as opposed to waiting on others’ returns. The Lions are in a more interesting situation, however, with a few defensive starters on the radar to be activated. Hutchinson could return if the Lions reach the NFC championship game , while Davis (broken jaw) has not been deemed out for the season yet . The Lions not placing Davis on IR suggests they expect him to have a chance at returning. Anzalone suffered a broken forearm last month; he may factor into the team’s plans as well. Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez will not, but the Lions have choices to make.
As for Raymond, he hit IR while leading the NFL in punt-return yards (390). Raymond is in Year 4 with the Lions, having established himself as one of the NFL’s best return men while also contributing as a role player on Detroit’s offense. The Lions have used Tim Patrick as their primary No. 3 wideout, but Raymond would provide another option for the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense. He put together 576- and 616-yard seasons in 2021 and ’22; through 11 games, Raymond caught 16 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.