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Lions vs Bears: Final injury report medical analysis plus IR update

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The Lions were due for some good news on defense and they got it with the returns of Ifeatu Melifonwu and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, although only Melifonwu has a chance to play this Sunday. Trevor Nowaske will also return from his concussion.

The Bears had a surprise on Friday when starting CB Jaylon Johnson came down with an illness. There were a couple offensive line concerns in Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins, but they trended upward over the course of the week and may play.

The Lions IR-list has been changing on a daily basis so scroll down for the up-to-the-moment analysis.

Here are some general IR rules strategies to keep in mind:

  • Placing a player on IR means they can’t play for four games. They also can’t start their 21-day practice window until after those four games.
  • Players who start their 21-day practice window immediately after the 4-game IR stint may not need their entire window and could be medically ready to play immediately. For example, Alim McNeill last year played in his first eligible game after being on IR for his MCL.
  • Players who don’t start their 21-day practice window immediately after the 4-game IR stint presumably are expected by medical to need most or all of their entire 21-day window before playing.
  • The Lions might use up all 10 of their IR-return slots for this season. Thus any further injuries to key players that could return this season might not be placed on IR to preserve the IR-return slots. David Montgomery is an example of this. These players will simply be one of the gameday inactives.

 

DETROIT LIONS

Out – Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB, neck (UL LP LP)

JRM was hurt November 3, placed on IR, and started his 21-day practice window on December 19. The injury was initially reported by the Lions as a shoulder but ended up being a neck.

He missed only six weeks which reassures that he did not have a serious spinal injury. While he is eligible to play this weekend, he’ll likely use most if not all of the practice window. The week-18 Vikings game is 16 days away so that game or the playoffs are the likely return dates.

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Out – David Montgomery RB, knee (NP NP NP)

Knuckles had a roller-coaster of a week regarding his status. The initial reported injury was an MCL. Early in the week, Dan Campbell stated he was going to have season-ending surgery. Then later in the week, it was decided that he would not have surgery and would try to rehab and return this season.

The fact that at least one doctor thought he needed surgery suggests this isn’t a straightforward partial (grade 1 or 2) MCL tear. Indications for surgery can include an unstable complete (grade 3) tear, a distal tear, avulsion, ligament entrapment, or multi-ligament tear.

Medical science is often a gray area and ever-evolving, so it is common to have differing opinions about the best way to manage an injury. Also, each form of management (surgical vs non-surgical) has its pros/cons so there is often not a definitive right or wrong way to proceed.

With the Lions poised to max out their 10 IR-return slots already, Montgomery may not be placed on IR even if his injury is projected to take >4 weeks.

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Questionable – Brian Branch S, calf (NP LP LP)

Branch reached for his right leg late in the 4th quarter which could have been when he hurt his calf. He finished the game with a slight limp. In the prior game vs the Packers, he had calf cramping at the end of the game which is probably unrelated. A calf strain could cause some missed time and Brandon Joseph would likely take his place. The 2xLP suggests it’s not too serious.

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Questionable – Graham Glasgow OG, knee (NP NP LP)

Glasgow played 100% of snaps vs the Bills, and I didn’t see any obvious knee issue. He may have also injured a knee in week two but hasn’t missed a game this year. With only a single LP, it might be wise to give him a game off. Christian Mahogany may get a start as he was the one to fill in when Kevin Zeitler went out briefly two weeks ago vs the Packers.

Questionable – Ifeatu Melifonwu S, hand (FP FP FP)

The previous “finger” listing turned into a “hand”. Regardless, he started his 21-day practice window immediately after his four-week IR stint which means he could be ready to play this weekend.

In – Frank Ragnow C, back (NP NP FP)

Ragnow played 100% of the last game but wasn’t his typical elite self. Perhaps a back issue is the reason. Good to see it’s not too serious.

In – Trevor Nowaske LB, concussion (FP FP FP)

Nowaske suffered his concussion in practice last week, but he has passed through the 5-stage protocol and is ready to play.

IN – Rest designation thus no injury

Taylor Decker
DJ Reader
Za’Darius Smith
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Kevin Zeitler

NOTABLES

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Played with “food poisoning” last game and stated on his podcast that he was vomiting. Medically, this is likely infectious gastroenteritis which is usually not serious but can cause dehydration and weakness. Typically, it resolves within 2-3 days so there shouldn’t be any dehydration issue for this weekend.

Emmanuel Moseley

Dan Campbell today stated: “This is the best week he’s had since coming back from the injury.” Moseley has not played in the past three games which could be due to his hamstring strain three weeks ago. With Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey out, Moseley may get his first action at CB this year after missing most of the year with a pec rupture in August.

IR LIST STATUS UPDATE

Returning soon

  • Alex Anzalone, left forearm fracture 11/17 – I’m surprised that his 21-day practice window did not open this week as I felt like the final regular season game (Vikings) was a likely target. The forearm was expected to take 6-8 weeks and the Vikings game is seven weeks post-injury and only 16 days away. The playoffs start in 22 days so even if that is the target, starting the 21-day window this week could have made sense. Forearm fractures heal very reliably so a setback is unlikely but not impossible. Hopefully, we see his window open early next week.
  • Kalif Raymond, left foot 11/24 – Initial reports were to expect him by the start of the playoffs. With the playoffs starting in 22 days, his practice window will hopefully open next week.

Early playoffs at best

  • Ennis Rakestraw, hamstring 11/23 – Eligible to return this week vs the Bears but his 21-day practice window did not open. This implies he is at least three weeks away.

Late playoffs is possible

  • Carlton Davis, jaw fracture 12/15 – Initial estimated recovery of six weeks would put him at the NFC championship game, but Dan Campbell today stated: “It doesn’t look optimistic to get him back”. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Aidan Hutchinson, left tib/fib fracture 10/13 – Expecting very limited action in the Super Bowl. Hutchinson has significant expected atrophy in his legs so it all depends on how quickly rehab goes. In 3rd year of 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.

Not expected to return

  • Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unlikely to be back. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • John Cominsky, MCL surgery – On December 18, Dan Campbell stated he was unlikely to return this season. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
  • Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
  • Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
  • Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Kyle Peko, left pec – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Mekhi Wingo, right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.

IR return count (5 of 10 used)

  • Lions have used 5 of 10 returns with Brodric Martin, Moseley, Reeves-Maybin, and Melifonwu twice. At this point, the last 5 will likely go to Anzalone, Raymond, Rakestraw, Davis, and Hutchinson who all could be back by the Super Bowl.
  • During the regular season, the Lions can only use a max of 8 returns but that’s not an issue as Davis and Hutchinson won’t be ready until the playoffs.

CHICAGO BEARS

Out – Ryan Bates OL, concussion (NP NP NP)

Bates might be a starter but has only appeared in three games this year and has missed the last four games. He’ll be out again.

Doubtful – Travis Homer RB, hamstring (UL UL LP)

Homer is mainly a special teams player this year.

Questionable – Jaylon Johnson CB, illness (UL UL NP)

Most common illnesses like respiratory infections or “food poisoning” can resolve within two days. Losing this quality starting CB would be a big deal. The Lions receivers are healthy and could take advantage.

Questionable – Braxton Jones OL, concussion (NP FP FP)

Jones is the starting LT and missed last game with this concussion. The FPx2 suggests he has passed through the concussion protocol and is ready to play.

Questionable – Teven Jenkins OL, calf (NP NP LP)

Jenkins is the starting LG. He played 96% snaps last game.

Questionable – Gervon Dexter DL, knee (NP NP LP)

Dexter is a starting DT who leads the team in sacks with five. He missed last game and seems likely to miss another.

In – Darrell Taylor DL, shoulder (FP FP FP)

Taylor is a backup DE who appeared to hurt his left shoulder last game.

In – Roschon Johnson RB, concussion (FP FP FP)

Johnson has missed the last two games but is ready now. He has 139 rushing yards on the year behind starter D’Andre Swift.