The Detroit Lions had several players hit the injury report this week
The 3-4 Detroit Lions are struggling to stay playoff relevant in a highly-competitive NFC North with both the 6-2 Green Bay Packers and the 5-3 Chicago Bears surging ahead. But this Sunday, the Lions have a chance to gain a better divisional foothold as they’ll play against the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings.
But if Detroit is going to even their record at .500, they might have to do so without several of their key players. And that includes quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Lions’ franchise passer is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list after reportedly being in close contact with a non-team member that caused him to be high risk. If the report is true, Stafford might be able to accumulate enough negative tests to make eligible to play against the Vikings on Sunday. Although he’d have to do so without having practiced at all this past week.
But Stafford isn’t the only player who may not be able to make an appearance in Week Nine at Minnesota. The Lions had a whopping 11 players make an appearance on the team’s injury report this week.
Those names include wide receiver Jamal Agnew (ribs), wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hip), safety Tracy Walker (foot), guard Joe Dahl (back), Taylor Decker (back), linebacker Christian Jones (knee), cornerback Darryl Roberts (hip/groin), defensive tackle Danny Shelton (wrist), cornerback Desmond Trufant (hamstring), guard/tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot), and tight end T.J. Hockenson (toe).
According to the team’s final injury report released on Friday, Agnew, Golladay, and Walker are all officially ruled out versus the Vikings this Sunday. Dahl, Jones, Vaitai, and Roberts are considered questionable.
Lions Friday practice report and game designations for Sunday: pic.twitter.com/2Gsl1337KE
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) November 6, 2020
The Detroit Lions sign former Patriots receiver Mohamed Sanu
The Lions also announced the signing of veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to the practice squad on Friday. Originally a third-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2012, Sanu found success playing for the Atlanta Falcons from 2016-2019.
Sanu was traded by the Falcons to the New England Patriots for a second-round draft pick last October but failed to live up to expectations. The Pats released him in September and he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, who subsequently released him as well in early October.
Mohamed Sanu’s best season came in 2017 when he recorded 67 receptions for 703 yards and five touchdowns as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. The 31-year old wideout will need to prove he still has more to offer on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad before earning himself a role on the active roster.