The Detroit Lions (5-2) and Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) face off in Week 8 on “Monday Night Football,” and since the game is later this week, the practice schedules will be changed. Instead of starting your practice week on Wednesday and reporting injuries on Friday, the first practice this week will be on Thursday and the injury determination will be made on Saturday.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how the Lions’ preliminary injury report looks.
Note. Any new changes to last week’s injury report are in bold. Injured reserve, non-football injury list
QB Hendon Hooker (ACL): NFI – Available for reinstatement at any time
RB Mohamed Ibrahim (hip): Practice squad IR, could return in Week 13
FB Jason Cabinda (knee): IR – Could return in Week 9
OT Matt Nelson (ankle): IR – Can return anytime
EDGE James Houston (fibula): GO – Could come back at any time
DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Breast): IR – May return at any time
Ibrahim needed hospitalization after dislocating his hip in Week 7, but a hospital in Baltimore was able to fix the situation and the Lions linebacker returned to Detroit the next day. He was placed on injured reserve and allowed to recover. If he recovers, he can go through the evaluation process to return to the practice squad.
Nelson is the last Lions player on injured reserve eligible to return, but since his ankle injury required surgery, it could be a while before he is healthy enough to return.
There is no practice on Thursday
RB David Montgomery (ribs)
LG Jonah Jackson (ankle)
C Frank Ragnow (toe/calf)
DT Benito Jones (ankle)
LB/FB Malcolm Rodriguez (Ankle) – Injured vs. Crows
Montgomery and Jackson will continue to miss practice, though the Lions’ starting quarterback has been working on the sidelines or working with trainers, an encouraging sign of his progress, something coach Dan Campbell noted earlier in the day.
“Yeah, the best thing I can say about David is he’s only going to get better,” Dan Campbell said.
Jackson was not seen at practice, which is less encouraging and could be a sign that he is headed for a third missed game. Currently, Kayode Awosika opted to replace him at left guard in Week 6, but with Halapoulivaati Vaitai set to return to right guard in Week 7, Graham Glasgow moved to start at left guard, which appears to be their preferred lineup if Jackson can. ‘t. play again
Ragnow also missed Thursday’s practice, which is not unusual — he usually misses one practice a week as part of his health care plan — but he was also with the trainers Thursday and is dealing with another calf injury. If Ragnow can’t play, the Lions will likely move Glasgow to inside center and move Awosika back to left guard.
Jones didn’t appear to be seriously injured in the game against the Ravens, but his shots were limited, so it’s possible he was dealing with an ankle injury. It will be one to watch during the week, and Isaiah Buggs will likely step in at defensive tackle if Jones can’t play.
Rodriguez was also injured in Week 7 and left the game early. After the game, he mentioned to reporters in the locker room that he was confident he would do it. “I’m good,” Rodriguez said. “I’ll be back.”
Limited practice
G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (back)
It’s a little worrying to see Vaitai back on the injury report with a back injury. Vaitai had back surgery last year and it cost him the entire 2022 season. Along with Ragnow’s new injury, the offensive line could be in the mix more this week. But hopefully they will be careful as a limited participant. Complete training
CB Jerry Jacobs (knee) – Placed on injury notice last Saturday, did not play against Ravens
Jacobs added to the injury report late last week and didn’t make it to his knee in time to play against the Ravens. His return to practice this week is an encouraging sign that he could be ready to start again on Monday.
No longer on the injury report
RB Craig Reynolds (toe/hamstring)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring)
WR Kalif Raymond (hamstring) – Injured vs. Crows
TE Sam LaPorta (calf)
TE James Mitchell (hamstring)
EDGE Josh Paschal (knee) – Activated to the roster last Saturday
DB Brian Branch (ankle)
S Kerby Joseph (concussion) – Cleared NFL records
Gibbs looked like he was giving up on his knee from his performance in Baltimore. If Montgomery is unable to return to the field, he should start against the Raiders.
Reynolds suffered two injuries last week (thigh and toe) but was active and playing. However, he only made seven starts, but it’s hard to say if his starts were down due to injury or the success of Jahmyr Gibbs.
Raymond was injured in Campbell’s “bracket” during the Ravens game, so he looks good.
LaPorta has been nursing a two-week-old calf, but that doesn’t seem to be holding him back. Mitchell returned to the lineup last week after missing the previous two games. Despite his performance, he did not play on offense and saw only three special teams snaps. It’s possible that the injury problems continue or the Lions are just taking time to re-adjust him.
Paschal was taken off injured reserve before the Ravens game and since his knee was no longer an issue, he was removed from the injured list.
Branch returned to action last week and played half of the Lions’ defensive snaps. He looks good and should see more playing time against the Raiders.
Joseph was removed from the Ravens game with a possible concussion after a vicious hit to the head by Odell Beckham Jr. Fortunately, Campbell discovered that Joseph
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