Another week, another injury to a Lions front seven player. This time it's a broken forearm for Alex Anzalone. Luckily, this injury will allow him to return this year, and probably stronger than ever I explain this in my editorial.
Outstanding concerns include Shane Zylstra's neck and Allen Robinson's possible concussion. Many other players went down during the Jaguars game, but most of these injuries appear to be minor.
On Monday, Dan Campbell gave a pessimistic update on Ifeatu Melifonwu, saying: “Something has come up…”he won't be ready for a while…that's a different injury.” This could be due to Melifonwu's new finger injury last week.
Here is the list of what I saw in the Jaguars game, along with the suspected diagnoses:
Amik Robertson – 1q 10:00 Left thigh contusion
At the end of the first ride he appeared to have been hit in the left thigh, which may have resulted in a simple stroke. I didn't see anything on the ankles or knees. He limped away but returned the next nickel package, which was during the third drive. He played the rest of the game with no apparent effects.
Amik Robertson L thigh bruise? video
-Video looks like a simple Charley horse. Knees/ankles look unaffected.
-Injured on the first ride. He limped badly but returned to the game and finished without any problems. No worries.—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Amik's father confirms that he is fine.
Great FaceTimed for him last night!! No problems, just another day at the office💪🏿🤪😁
— Arthur Watts III (@LILWATTS5000)
Jahmyr Gibbs – 1q 1:50 minor abdominal contusion
Gibbs landed on the ball, which could have resulted in a bruised stomach, rib cartilage injury or simply flatulence. He left after the game but returned with the same drive and finished the game.
Jahmyr Gibbs
– Appears to land on the ball. Could be a bruised stomach or rib cartilage or just flatulence.
– Left after the game but returned with the same ride and finished the game well. Should be fine.—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Frank Ragnow – 2q 9:19 Bruised left elbow/forearm
Ragnow stuck a helmet right into the left elbow/forearm area and grimaced. He didn't miss a beat. He finished the game without any elbow braces or pads, which is reassuring. He probably only had a slight bruise.
Video about the elbow/forearm injury by Frank Ragnow L
– Poor guy takes a direct helmet shot in the elbow/proximal forearm area. Was in pain but didn't miss a play.
-Completed game without bandage or padding, reassuring that there is no significant injury—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Alex Anzalone – 2q 2:36 Left forearm fracture
For more information, see my full article. Anzalone should return within 6-8 weeks with no long-term concerns.
Alex Anzalone L's Forearm Fracture Injury Video
-Slomo zoom looks like mid-shaft
-Dan Campbell says 6-8 weeks. MNF vs. 49ers 6 weeks away.
-Could potentially be back sooner, but there's no reason to rush with the playoffs in eight to nine weeks
-Fully healed for playoffs, no long-term concerns—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Carlton Davis – Broken left thumb earlier this week
Davis didn't play in the second half, but that was likely a precaution for the broken left thumb he suffered in practice a few days ago. Dan Campbell explained on Monday that he “didn't feel quite right” during the game, so that's something to keep an eye on this week.
Here is the cast/splint he played with:
Za'Darius Smith – 2q 00:45 Bruised right upper body/ribs
Smith took an elbow to the right torso, which could have caused a rib or abdominal injury. He was in visible pain on the floor for a while but only missed one play. It's probably just a bruise, in the worst case scenario it's a broken rib.
Za'Darius Smith R torso/rib video
– Stops blows to the rib/flank area. Was down for a while but only missed one play. Game ended well.—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Penei Sewell – 3q 1:12 core loading
The video was obscured, but Ragnow shattered his torso. Two plays later, Sewell landed hard on his torso, which may have exacerbated the initial problem. He didn't miss a play and finished the game in good shape.
Penei Sewell
-Unclear what happened here, but it could be that Ragnow initially shattered the torso, then landed hard on the torso two plays later, making the situation worse.
-Completed the game without any problems. No significant concerns.—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Allen Robinson – 4q 5:18 possible concussion
Here Robinson receives a hard blow to the head and also hits his head on the ground. He is slow to get up, which gives rise to a concussion. He tried to stay in for the next play but was sent off with a concussion. Presumably he passed the exam since there is no news. Delayed symptoms are possible and we should know that by Wednesday.
Allen Robinson: Possible concussion video
-Slowly getting up after a direct blow to the head
-Stayed in for the next game but was sent off with a concussion
– Presumably passed the evaluation, but attention needs to be paid to delayed symptoms—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)
Shane Zylstra – 4q 6:22 neck
Zylstra retired after that game and was officially listed as having a neck injury. He did not return to the game. I reviewed all of his plays in the 4th quarter and nothing stood out. Neck injuries often don't show much on video, as we saw with Saivion Smith's temporary paralysis in 2022. Hopefully it's just a simple strain in the neck muscles.
Shane Zylstra's neck injury video
– Retired after this play, but there's nothing obvious on the video here or any of his previous plays in 4qtr. Didn't return.
-Even severe neck problems may not show up on video (see temporary paralysis by Saivion Smith 2022)
-Hopefully just a pulled muscle—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD)