Lions Week 16 injury Update: Penei Sewell limited and TWO players to sit out.

In Week 16, the Detroit Lions (10-4) travel to Minnesota to play the Minnesota Vikings (7-7), who are in the same division. This week, the Lions will resume their regular schedule, starting practice on Wednesday and announcing their injury reports on Friday.

The Lions are still largely healthy as of right now, especially when it comes to their starters, and they are even attempting to bring back players off injured reserve. Let’s start the practice week by examining the current situation.

NOTE: Any changes from last week’s injury report will be bolded.

Injured reserve, Non-Football injury list

RB Mohamed Ibrahim (hip): Practice squad IR — eligible to return at any time
FB Jason Cabinda (knee): IR — Evaluation clock started
OT Matt Nelson (ankle): IR — eligible to return at any time
OG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (back): IR — eligible to return at any time
DT Alim McNeill (knee): IR — eligible to return in Week 18
EDGE James Houston (fibula): IR — eligible to return at any time
DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral): IR — Evaluation clock started
LS Scott Daly (knee): IR — eligible to return at any time

After completing his medical examination, Hendon Hooker—who was previously on this list with an NFI designation due to an ACL injury—has been added to the active roster.

Both Cabinda and Gardner-Johnson’s evaluation clocks began to run on Wednesday, thus for the next 21 days, they can both practice without deducting from the active roster. The player may be added to the 53-man roster during those 21 days if the Lions feel they are prepared for game action on game day. The Lions will have to decide what to do with the player or players if they are not added to the roster within those 21 days. They can choose to release them from the team or put them back on injured reserve, which will finish their season.

He’s baaaaaaaaaack

Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson is practicing Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/bpAh93ah7Q

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) December 20, 2023

Wednesday is no Practice day.

TE Against the Broncos, Brock Wright (groin) was injured.

Jerry Jacobs (hamstring) is hurt during the Broncos game.
Wright had a groin injury against the Broncos toward the conclusion of the first half, which prevented him from participating in the second half of the game.

Against the Broncos, Jacobs lost his starting position and was limited to playing on special teams. Regretfully, Jacobs suffered an injury in this capacity as well, appearing in just about half of the match before being sidelined.

This coaching staff frequently prohibits players from exercising on Wednesday after they were declared ineligible for the previous game, but soft tissue injuries might persist, so these circumstances should be watched carefully.

Estimated limited practice

FB Jason Cabina (knee) — evaluation days remaining: 21
RT Penei Sewell (shoulder) — NEW INJURY
DT Levi Onwuzurike (knee) — NEW INJURY
LB Derrick Barnes (shoulder) — injured vs. Broncos
DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) — evaluation days remaining: 21

After suffering a knee injury in Week 5, Cabinda has been placed on injured reserve. Apart from the evaluation window being opened, there haven’t been any noteworthy updates on his progress, thus it’s unclear how long he might need to wait before he is prepared to participate in games.

It’s probable that Sewell and Onwuzurike’s injuries gained attention in the days that followed the game because they weren’t declared to have occurred during it. It’s not too concerned at this point to get in limited practices as it’s a good starting step towards their being active this weekend. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep an eye on any player who is added to the injury report without it being clear how they were hurt.

Although Barnes was hurt at the conclusion of the first half as well, he was able to play again and appeared at ease in the second half. The fact that he was able to make a comeback suggests that he could be ready this weekend, even if the Lions take their time with him this week.

Gardner-Johnson’s impressive comeback from a pectoral injury in Week 2 beyond the team’s expectations. Gardner-Johnson is much ahead of schedule, so it’s probable that it will take him some time to regain his football form. Nevertheless, given his track record of success, it’s generally wise to assume that he will become available without much notice.

complete workout

C Frank Ragnow (back, knee, toe)

Ragnow is still listed as injured, but he hasn’t been able to play as much because of his injuries. Despite needing meniscus surgery for his most recent injury, he was back on the field and participating in every offensive play in less than two weeks.

He’s a mind-over-matter man and a strong guy, but at the end of the day, I just want to get back to this: whatever you want to call it, he fears disappointing his teammates,” Campbell stated on Monday. That is the most important thing to him. Guys really respect him because that’s just the kind of guy he is.