The Detroit Lions announced their Week 18 injury designations before of their regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, and things have gone as planned based on participation levels throughout the week.
WR ruled OUT
TE Brock Wright (groin)
EDGE Jameson Williams (ankle)
James Houston (IR, ankle) has 13 assessment days left.
Williams and Wright have been unable to train all week—the tight end’s third absence in a row—and will be declared out.
With Williams out, Kalif Raymond or Donovan Peoples-Jones would most likely replace Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds in the starting lineup. While Raymond is the more experienced veteran, Peoples-Jones is stylistically similar to Williams and would be a more straightforward one-for-one replacement. After serving as a healthy scratch for the majority of the season, youngster Antoine Green is expected to be active as a depth option this week.
“(Peoples-Jones) has gotten better each and every week,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Thursday. “We’re very happy with where he’s at in the offense and with his execution.” Antoine Green is the same way. If his number is called, he’ll rise to the occasion and put himself in a good position. So, certainly, if we have any physical issues (with Williams), those guys aren’t usually out there, and if they are, they’re all-in.”
Wright will miss his third game in a row, leaving Detroit with only two tight ends after the release of Anthony Firkser on Thursday. This week, the Lions might simply go with two tight ends, or they could deploy a number of alternative possibilities. They could, for example, deploy Dan Skipper as a sixth offensive lineman, maybe promote fullback Jason Cabinda from the practice squad, or even re-sign Firkser to the practice squad and elevate him for the game if he clears waivers.
Houston will not be activated from injured reserve this week, and coach Dan Campbell indicated that he will face an uphill battle to return for the Wild Card playoff game next week as well. Houston is improving, but there is still more work to be done.
Questionable Players
- DT Benito Jones (illness)
- DT Alm McNeill (IR, knee) — evaluation days remaining: 18
- DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (IR, pectoral) — evaluation days remaining: 5
Jones is suffering from an illness, but he was able to return to full practice on Friday and appears to be on track to play on Sunday.
McNeill and Gardner-Johnson are anticipated to be activated off injured reserve and available to play against the Vikings this weekend. In anticipation of their return, the Lions have already freed two roster spots—Isaiah Buggs and Firkser.
The Full practice
- TE Sam LaPorta (ankle)
- LT Taylor Decker (groin)
- C Frank Ragnow (toe/back/knee)
- RG Graham Glasgow (rest)
- CB Cameron Sutton (toe)
LaPorta participated in full practice on Friday and will start against the Vikings. The Lions’ starting offensive line has rested appropriately and appears to be ready for Sunday. Sutton completed a full week of practices and is also ready to play.
