It was pretty much expected, but Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown reportedly will suit up Sunday against the Dolphins.
It was trending that way from the start, as he moved through the NFL’s enhanced concussion protocols, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported early Sunday morning that Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has cleared concussion protocol and will indeed play against the Dolphins.
St. Brown left Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys very early after taking a hit to the head and clearly being compromised. He was found to not have suffered a concussion, but the league’s enhanced head injury protocols in the wake of how Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was handled earlier this season led to St. Brown being quickly declared out for the game.
St. Brown practiced in a red non-contact jersey to start the week. But he was a full participant on Friday, and despite being listed as questionable it seemed to be far better than a 50-50 chance he’d play on Sunday. But the NFL did away with the probable injury listing a few years ago.
A healthy Amon-Ra St. Brown will be welcome spark to Lions offense
St. Brown missed Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks with an ankle injury he suffered during Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. Then he was on a limited snap count in Week 5 against the New England Patriots (21 snaps), and didn’t do much (four catches for 18 yards). Before being injured against Dallas, he played 10 snaps and was injured after his lone catch.
So the Lions haven’t had a full strength St. Brown for a full game since Week 2. He still leads the team in receptions though, with 28, for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
Jared Goff’s level of play has dropped dramatically over the last two games, in concert with St. Brown playing a total of 31 snaps. The Lions’ offense overall, with D’Andre Swift set to return after missing the last three games, is as healthy as it has been since Week 1.