After enjoying a stress-free playoff football weekend, the intensity ramps up dramatically this week as the Washington Commanders prepare to invade Detroit on Saturday night.
Let's take a look at the injured Lions who may be available for the team's first playoff game and what to look for in the first practice report.
WILL PROBABLY PLAY
David Montgomery – right MCL, December 15th
Montgomery is expected to play Saturday night, five weeks after the injury. Today Campbell stated: “There will be a place for him in this game… it will be good to get him back.”
Expect at least one LP (Limited Practice) for the first practice report.
Video about David Montgomery R's knee injury
– Unclear time of injury
– The first clip is a suspicious game when the leg gets tangled. I stayed inside.
-Next Carry R leg seems to give way
– Returned after halftime with a knee brace and finished the game. No problem, but worth seeing. pic.twitter.com/9wM2BOLmOD—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
Levi Onwuzurike – right ankle, January 5th
Onwuzurike suffered a severe sprain on his right ankle in the final game and limped off the field at one point with trainers. He finished the game playing 74% of the snaps, which is reassuring but worth keeping an eye on in the practice report. Hopefully it doesn't even appear in the report.
Levi Onwuzurike R's leg injury video
-Uncertain injury. May have occurred off screen. Appears to be reaching for the right ankle. Even an R knee brace and an R ankle brace may have aggravated the existing injury.
-Back to the game pic.twitter.com/r08Tt8nUCN—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025
Questionable to play with
Terrion Arnold – right foot, January 5th
The injury was described by Ian Rapaport as a foot bruise, which is close to the best outcome compared to a significant sprain or fracture. Arnold has been in good spirits since the injury and all early signs are positive. There's a good chance he'll be ready for Saturday.
I hope there is at least one LP in the first training report that suggests he is on track to play.
Video of Terrion Arnold's right foot injury
– Comes down hard with overextended toes and the foot also twists
-I hope just a slight hyperextension of the toes (turf toe) pic.twitter.com/szb3121vLR—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025
Ennis Rakestraw – Hamstring, November 23rd
After going on IR, Rakestraw's training window opened on January 9th, seven weeks after the injury. For the hamstrings, gradual increases can help prevent aggravation. He will have two weeks of training before the game, which could be enough.
On the first training report he will have at least one LP, but if he manages a FP (full training) there is a good chance he will be available on Saturday.
Kevin Zeitler – right thigh, January 5th
Initial reports from Dan Campbell last week suggested the hamstring injury was mild. Like Rakestraw, a hamstring strain benefits from a gradual climb.
An LP or FP in the initial report would bode well for his availability on Saturday.
Video about Kevin Zeitler's right thigh muscle injury
-Severe limp afterwards. Didn't return.
-Return depends on severity. Could take several weeks. pic.twitter.com/cuJmhxAFqi—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025
unlikely to play
Pat O'Connor – Calf, January 5th
It's probably a calf strain and Dan Campbell's comments last week were very pessimistic. Expect an NP (no training) for most or all of this week. If he makes it to an LP or better, that would be a good sign that he could be back at some point in these playoffs.
Pat O'Connor's calf injury video
-Officially a calf. However, you can't see much in the video.
– Appeared as if I was reaching for the right leg. pic.twitter.com/J7EAJEArYC—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025
WILL NOT PLAY THIS WEEK BUT MAYBE LATER
Aidan Hutchinson – Fracture of left tibia and fibula, October 13th
No status change for Hutchinson as he continues his rehab while on IR. Dan Campbell wasn't optimistic last week, but I think there's still a good chance of a limited return to the Super Bowl, which comes 17 weeks after the injury.
I'm hoping Hutchinson's 21-day training window opens next week.
Having Aidan Hutchinson in your ear can make a difference. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/66EH839JlZ
– Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 6, 2025
Carlton Davis – Broken jaw, December 15th
The initial estimate for Davis was that he had a chance to play again in the conference championship game, which would take place six weeks after the injury. However, last week Dan Campbell strongly suggested that Davis was out for the season.
Davis is on IR, so watch for his 21-day practice window to open in the next few weeks.
Carlton Davis Jaw Injury Video
– Came out twice, maybe related
– In the 1st quarter, deliver a blow to the left head. Then grab the face mask. Returned after 1 game.
– In the 2nd quarter, L probably hits his head while tackling. Trainers look at the L jaw. Didn't return. pic.twitter.com/GDcwYFURVv—Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
