Coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions fielded a number of questions regarding injuries and players’ projected statuses for the following game, as is customary at Monday press conferences. This week was no exception, with Campbell providing updates on Bruce Irvin, James Houston, Frank Ragnow, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Let’s examine each one separately.
Frank Ragnow
Due to a knee injury sustained the week before against the New Orleans Saints, the Lions All-Pro center was unable to play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Despite Ragnow’s lack of practice last week due to persistent toe and back ailments, Detroit decided to retain him on injured reserve, indicating that they anticipate his return quite soon.
Will that be this week versus the Broncos in Denver, then? Campbell refused to make a commitment.
“To be ascertained,” Campbell remarked. “He is becoming better and better. However, I won’t be aware of this for a little while.
Graham Glasgow will return to center field and either rookie Colby Sorsdal or Kayode Awosika will start at right guard if Ragnow is unable to play. The Lions used Awosika in their game against the Bears.
James Houston
When Houston visited the facility last week, he told reporters that he thought he would play in a game or two prior to the Lions’ postseason run, in addition to expected to return shortly. After breaking their ankle in the second week of the season, Houston was placed on injured reserve.
By stating that Houston won’t be returning to practice this week, Campbell considerably reduced the amount of talk around his comeback.
“No, no. Before that, I believe it will be some time,” Campbell remarked. “Well, I do believe there’s a chance (of him coming back), but we may be looking at late December or early January.”
The Lions play the Dallas Cowboys on December 30 and the Vikings on January 7 in their regular season finale.
Johnson Gardner-C.J. Gardner
Johnson has been sidelined since Week 2 due to a torn pectoral muscle. The Lions defensive back has been hinting at December 20 on social media for a while now, but he hasn’t stated explicitly that this is when he will be back.
Although Gardner-Johnson gave far greater hope for his rehabilitation than he did the last time he discussed it, Campbell indicated that his timeframe is exactly in line with Houston’s.
Campbell stated, “He’s kicked it into overdrive.” And he has—and continues to have—rapid healing. The main question that will arise is: Is his body prepared for that? Is it solid and strong enough for him to do without getting hurt again? He’s taken off, as far as I can tell, but we’ll see. If there is a chance, it would most likely follow the same schedule and occur in late December or early January.
Bruce Irvin
After Bruce Irvin had an effect against the Saints the week before, many were shocked to see that the Lions had left him on the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Bears. Campbell stated on Monday that Irvin’s ankle injury from the game was the reason for the decision.
Campbell said, “Yes.” “He’s getting better too.”
Irvin’s availability to play against the Broncos is still unknown, but he is still a member of the practice squad, so he won’t be mentioned on any injury reports this week.
