The Lions first playoff game is upon us as the Commanders march into town. The final practice injury report is today (Thursday) due to the game being on Saturday. There were no big upgrades/downgrades during the week for the Lions.
The Commanders report is long but most players on the report are in. The two questionables coming out of the last game (Daron Payne, Bobby Wagner) are set to play but may have some limitations due to their injuries.
If the Lions win on Saturday, the practice window watch can start for the two remaining hopefuls on IR – Aidan Hutchinson and Carlton Davis. I go into more detail below.
(Abbreviations: UL=unlisted, NP=no practice, LP=limited practice, FP=full practice)
DETROIT LIONS
Out: Kevin Zeitler, RG – hamstring (NP NP NP)
A hamstring strain will cost this starting RG at least one playoff game. Hamstrings benefit from a gradual ramp-up to avoid aggravation, so the lack of any practice this week puts next week in doubt also. Expect 6th-round rookie Christian Mahogany, who has performed well in limited action, to start at RG.
Out: Pat O’Connor, DT – calf (NP NP NP)
A likely calf strain during the last game will cost O’Connor at least one game. Like with Zeitler, the full week of NP is not a positive sign for the following week. He has been playing around 50% of defensive snaps in the latter part of the season along the depleted defensive line.
Questionable: Ennis Rakestraw, CB – hamstring/illness (NP NP LP)
Rakestraw opened his practice window last week on January 9 after 7 weeks on IR. The limited practice time this week is likely related to the illness but I can’t say for sure.
Rakestraw’s role is on special teams unless there are further injuries to the CB position. With Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, and Kindle Vildor healthy, the Lions likely will decide to give Rakestraw another week.
IN: David Montgomery, RB – knee (FP FP FP)
Knuckles returns in 5 weeks from his MCL sprain and possibly more.
I don’t expect any limitations to his snap count based on how the Lions have handled players in their first game back such as Jahmyr Gibbs with his hamstring last year (87% snaps), Montgomery himself with his ribs last year (38%), and Alex Anzalone with his forearm last week (98%).
Prior to his injury, Montgomery was logging around 30-50% of snaps and I would anticipate him in the range of 30% for this game given Gibbs recent high production.
IN: Terrion Arnold, CB – foot (FP FP FP)
After a worrisome-looking foot injury last game, the outcome is excellent as he won’t even miss a game. His health is important to a secondary that is missing Carlton Davis.
In: Taylor Decker OT – personal (UL NP FP)
Congrats to Taylor Decker and family for welcoming their second child to the world.
Taylor Decker was back at practice today after he and his wife, Kyndra,, celebrated the birth of their second child (son Dane) this week.
— John Niyo (@JohnNiyo) January 16, 2025
IR LIST STATUS UPDATE
Aidan Hutchinson – left tib/fib fracture, Oct 13
With only 3 weeks left until the Super Bowl, Hutchinson’s 21-day practice window may open early next week regardless of his chances to play in the big game. The bone has likely been healed for multiple weeks now, so his return is dependent on the rehab of the soft tissues. Getting him on the practice field would just be part of his rehab.
Dan Campbell has not expressed optimism regarding his return recently but did not rule it out. I continue to expect limited action in the Super Bowl for Hutchinson.
He is in the 3rd year of his 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.
Carlton Davis – jaw fracture, Dec 15
Dan Campbell stated two weeks ago not to expect Davis back. I’m still holding onto a glimmer of hope that he might return for the Super Bowl.
The practice window situation for Davis is a bit different than Hutchinson’s as the jaw fracture may not be healed yet. Even if Davis can play in the Super Bowl, he may not have his window opened next week. If his window does open, he could potentially play immediately as his legs are unaffected – same as what we saw with Alex Anzalone.
Davis is an unrestricted free agent after this year.
Not expected to return
- Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unrestricted free agent after this year.
- John Cominsky, MCL surgery – 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 rupture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
- Mekhi Wingo, unspecified right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.
- Emmanuel Moseley, illness – Placed on NFI after appearing in only 2 games following his pec rupture.
IR return count (8 of 10 used)
- Lions have returned Rakestraw, Anzalone, Raymond, Brodric Martin, Moseley, Reeves-Maybin, and Ifeatu Melifonwu twice.
- Hutchinson and Davis will take the last 2 returns if they can get healthy enough.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
In: Daron Payne DT, finger (LP LP FP)
Payne hurt his thumb during the last game and posted the XR which showed a likely dorsal dislocation of his thumb MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joint.
He’s going to play likely with a splint which will affect his ability to grab with that hand.
Payne is an important player along the defensive line logging around 70-80% of snaps this year with 4 sacks and 42 total tackles.
In: Bobby Wagner LB, ankle (NP NP LP)
On video, Wagner suffered a left high ankle sprain or medial ankle sprain after a teammate crashed into him from the side on the penultimate defensive play of the game. He is going to play but the ankle injury could limit his effectiveness.
Bobby Wagner on the injury report
Here’s the play where he was injured
Friendly fire from Jalyn Holmes pic.twitter.com/UQmHb9WFKg
— RefTheDistrict (@RefTheDistrict) January 14, 2025
Out: Jordan Magee LB, hamstring (NP NP NP)
Magee has played minimal snaps on defense this year and is mostly a special teams contributor.
Questionable: Mykal Walker LB, illness (UL UL NP)
Walker is mainly a special teams player.
Questionable: Colson Yankoff TE, hamstring (FP FP FP)
This rookie TE has not played in the last 11 games.
The following players are all in:
Zane Gonzalez K, hip
Gonzalez went to the bank for the game-winning field goal in the 1st-round of the playoffs. Detroit banks are planning to close early on Saturday.
A DOINK TO THE DIVISIONAL ROUND!!!! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/TRwyX11zcZ
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
