Lions injury report: Defense down 2 linebackers to start Texans week

The Detroit Lions released their Week 10 initial injury report ahead of their upcoming matchup with the Houston Texans, and they’re down two linebackers.

The Detroit Lions are on the road in Week 10—for the fourth time in the last five weeks—as they take on their second AFC South opponent of the season: the Houston Texans . Over the past few weeks, the Lions have allowed specific veterans to rest on Wednesday—which could be a result of the travel schedule—but this week, the Lions opted to dial things back for the entire team.

On Wednesday, the Lions held a walkthrough practice, and because these types of practices are not open to the media, today’s injury report from the team will be based on how the coaches estimate players would have participated, had there been a full practice.

Let’s take a look at Wednesday’s estimated injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note that any changes from last week’s report will be bolded.

Injured reserve

• DT Brodric Martin (knee) — injured reserve , 21-day injury evaluation clock started
• DL John Cominsky (MCL) — injured reserve , could return in the Playoffs
• CB Emmanuel Moseley (pec) — injured reserve , 21-day evaluation clock started
• S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) — injured reserve , 21-day evaluation clock started

Lions coach Dan Campbell told the media on Wednesday that the team was starting the evaluation clocks on Moseley and Melifonwu. Neither have played a regular season snaps in 2024—Moseley has been out since training camp, while Melifonwu was placed on injured reserve after Week 4—and if they’re able to return, it could be a nice depth boost to the Lions secondary.

No practice

• EDGE Za’Darius Smith (personal) — with no bye week, Lions giving him two days off
• LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle)
• LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) — played through injury in Week 9

Smith was given two days off from the coaching staff, seeing as he was supposed to be on a bye week with the Browns before the Lions traded for him.

“I thought that was important,” Campbell said. “I mean, he’s been in this league a while and they were actually just going on their bye week when he got the call from us, and everything got done. So, let him do what he needs to do, refresh, get back here Friday.”

Rodriguez was injured on the third special team splay of Week 8 and has been unable to practice since. Campbell told the media that his status will likely depend on how he looks on Thursday and if he is ready to practice again.

Reeves-Maybin was injured in the Packers game but only left the game for a brief period of time and was able to close it out. It was initially called a shoulder injury, but it is now listed as a neck injury. As is typical with players injured in the previous game, the Lions are going to take it slow with him early in the week to better assess his status.

Limited practice

None

Full practice

• RB Sione Vaki (knee)
• DL Josh Paschal (illness)
• DL Mekhi Wingo (ankle)
• DT Brodric Martin (knee) — Days remaining in injury evaluation window: 13
• CB Emmanuel Moseley (pec) — Days remaining in injury evaluation window: 20
• S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) — Days remaining in injury evaluation window: 20

Vaki injured his knee last week, only got in one practice, and was seen working with trainers. A full practice to start the week is promising.

Paschal has missed the previous two weeks after his doctor found a non-cancerous mass in his shoulder during a cancer check-up. Fortunately, it was removed and he has been steadily working his way back. Both Paschal and Campbell said that the expectation is for him to return this week.

Wingo injured his ankle on Thursday and was unable to get cleared before the Packers game, but he, too, looks on pace to return this week.

Martin continues to work his way through the injury evaluation process and is entering his second week in the window.

“It was good to see him out there,” Campbell said of Martin’s first week in the evaluation window. “He looks like he’s fresh, he certainly has fresh legs. So, really that’s the best I can give you. I mean, it’s good to get him out there, it’s good to continue the development of him, to be able to go against our one O-line, he’s out there going against those guys, and then it’s just a matter of, man, do we feel like after this three weeks he can help us? Do we feel like he can really help us? Is he healthy enough to help? How is he relative to the rest of the guys on the roster? Even practice squad? That’s what it’ll be.”

If that doesn’t sound overly optimistic, don’t fret. This is a similar tone Campbell used when discussing Christian Mahogany after his first week in the evaluation window, and he was added to the roster at the end of his window.

Texans’ initial injury report

Note: Starters are bolded.

Did not practice

• RB Dameon Pierce (groin)
• LG Kenyon Gtreen (shoulder) – expected to go on IR
• EDGE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle)
• EDGE Derek Barnett (calf, shoulder)
• EDGE Dylan Horton (illness)
• DT Folorunso Fatukasi (groin, shoulder)

Limited

• LT Laremy Tunsil (rest)
• RG Shaq Mason (hip)
• EDGE Jerry Hughes (hip) — Still on IR, in evaluation window
• LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee)
• LB Jake Hansen (ankle)
• CB Jeff Okudah (quad) — Still on IR, in evaluation window
• S Jimmie Ward (groin)

Full practice

• IOL Jarrett Patterson (concussion)

Of note

WR Nico Collins (hamstring) has been in the news of late because he is eligible to return from injured reserve, was targeting Week 10 as a return date, and has reportedly passed his medical tests. However, he has yet to start practicing and therefore is not included in the Texans injury report.