Ahead of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, here’s the final Week 15 injury report for the Detroit Lions.
The 1-11-1 Detroit Lions will welcome the 10-3 Arizona Cardinals to Ford Field on Sunday. It’s safe to say no one expects the Lions to make the game competitive, let alone win, and if they were at full strength that wouldn’t be much different. But as is well-known, the Lions are not at full strength due to injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak.
Here’s a look at Friday’s injury report for the Lions, with game day statuses.
Detroit Lions Week 15 Injury Report
RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder)-Out
OLB Julian Okwara (ankle)-Out
LB Alex Anzalone (ankle)-Questionable
DE Michael Brockers (knee)-Questionable
WR Josh Reynolds (thigh)-Questionable
OT Will Holden (not injury related)-Questionable
OG Jonah Jackson (back)-Questionable
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder)-Questionable
OT Penei Sewell (shoulder)-No designation
LB Derrick Barnes (knee)-No designation
OLB Austin Bryant (shoulder)-No designation
Swift will miss a third straight game with a right shoulder injury. It feels increasingly likely he’ll be put on IR to end his season.
Anzalone played nearly every defensive snap for the Lions up until being injured last week. Josh Woods stepped in for him against the Broncos, taking over the green dot in his helmet as the defensive signal caller, and he’d presumably do the same against Arizona if Anzalone can’t go.
Reynolds has become a key piece of the Lions passing game in recent weeks, and he popped up on the injury report this week. His absence would open up potential opportunity for, probably most notably, Kalif Raymond.
Jackson has started every game this season at left guard, and he is the only Lion to play every offensive snap so far this season. After not practicing all week, despite the questionable listing, those marks are in real jeopardy. Tommy Kraemer would presumably start in Jackson’s place.
D'Andre Swift and Julian Okwara have been ruled out, but despite not practicing this week, Jonah Jackson has been listed as questionable. The starting left guard is the only Lions player to play every offensive snap in 2021. https://t.co/xN8MaOerZd
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) December 17, 2021
In other injury news on Friday, the Lions officially placed tight end T.J. Hockenson (thumb surgery) on IR. The 2021 season for Detroit’s leading receiver is over. Also, no players who have been on the Lions’ COVID-19 list, running back Jamaal Williams and safety Tracy Walker most notably, are expected to be available on Sunday–despite the NFL’s change in virus protocols this week.
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