The Detroit Lions released their Week 18 initial injury report and Alex Anzalone returned to practice.
The Detroit Lions (14-2) are headed into a Week 18 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) with the NFC North and No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line on “Sunday Night Football.”
With the Lions on a short week, after playing on Monday night, they’ve elected to hold a walkthrough practice on Wednesday. This means the participation levels for this opening practice are only estimations based on what the coaching staff projects each player to have been capable of producing, had this been a full practice.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at Wednesday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note that any changes from last week’s report will be bolded.
Injured reserve updates
- WR Kalif Raymond (hamstring) — injured reserve, 21-day injury evaluation clock started
- LB Alex Anzalone (forearm) — injured reserve, 21-day injury evaluation clock started
- CB Carlton Davis (jaw) — injured reserve, could potentially return in the playoffs
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring) — injured reserve, “He’s close, but not yet.”
The Lions have started the injury evaluation clock on Anzalone, and while he is participating in Wednesday’s walkthrough, Thursday will give coach Dan Campbell a better understanding of where he is at, in relation to returning to game action.
“He’ll be out there running around today, so we’ll see how he does,” Campbell said. “It’s really going to be how he—tomorrow is going to be a really big day for us, to see where he’s at.”
No practice
- RB David Montgomery (knee) — expected to return during the Playoffs
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (illness) — New ailment
Montgomery continues to rehabilitate and expectations remain that he will not be available until the divisional round of the playoffs.
Moseley did not play a single snap on Monday, so it’s unclear if he was dealing with this illness at that time or if this is a recent ailment. It’s not unusual for players to become ill this time of year, but we’ll have to see how fast he recovers.
Limited practice
- LB Alex Anzalone (forearm) — returns to practice, Injury clock days remaining: 20
- LB Jack Campbell (rib) — New injury
- CB Amik Robertson (calf) — New injury
Anzalone returning to practice is a huge development, but we’re in wait-and-see mode for him returning to game action at the moment.
Campbell and Robertson each managed to play every snap against the 49ers, and getting in even a limited practice is a good sign that they are in a decent spot. They may require some additional rest this week, but nothing to panic over at this time.
Full practice
- WR Kalif Raymond (hamstring) — Injury clock days remaining: 14
Raymond has now gotten in four full practices and is in a solid spot to potentially return to game action as soon as this week. In Week 7 vs. the Vikings, Raymond caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown, so his return could be a big boost on offense and special teams.
No longer listed on the injury report
- LG Graham Glasgow (knee)
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck)
- CB Terrion Arnold (illness)
The players listed in this section no longer require a spot on the injury report.
Vikings’ initial injury report
Note: Starters are bolded.
Did not practice
- EDGE Patrick Jones (knee)
- LB Kamu Grugler-Hill (illness)
Limited
- FB C.J. Ham (quad)
- RB Aaron Jones (quad)
- CB Fabian Moreau (hip)
- S Harrison Smith (foot)
Full practice
- TE Josh Oliver (wrist)