The Detroit Lions are 11-1 and on the high of a 10-game winning streak, and it's getting to the point where it's hard to remember their one loss this season (Week 2). But the injury hits kept coming on Thanksgiving Day against the Chicago Bears, adding to the challenge heading into their Week 14 Thursday Night Football matchup at home against the 9-3 Green Bay Packers.
The Packers also played on Thanksgiving (the night game), so the two teams have had the same game week with the normal space between games even though Thursday games are still inherently unique.
The practice reports from the week backed up the direct sentiment from Lions head coach Dan Campbell about injuries that occurred on Thanksgiving Day and before.
On the final injury report for this week on Wednesday, left tackle Taylor Decker (knee), defensive lineman Josh Paschal (knee), defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and defensive tackle DJ Reader (shoulder) were ruled out for Thursday night's game.
All four were expected be out when it came down to it, even if after last week's game Campbell had no immediate comment on the left shoulder injury Reader suffered.
There are a couple positives of the injury docket this week for the Lions. Cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Emmanuel Moseley were not listed with an injury designation, and both will play on Thursday night barring something unforeseen. Davis suffered a knee injury in Week 12 and missed the Thanksgiving game on a short week. Moseley had what we've since learned was a hamstring injury pop up, and he was held out of the Thanksgiving Day contest largely as a precaution.
Detroit Lions inactives: Week 14 vs. Packers
Here are the Week 14 inactives for the Lions.
- OT Taylor Decker
- DT DJ Reader
- DL Josh Paschal
- DL Levi Onwuzurike
- CB Emmanuel Moseley
- OG Kayode Awosika
- OT Giovanni Manu
Moseley is a surprising inactive for the second straight week. He appeared to be healthy, logging full practices all week.
And here are the Week 14 inactives for the Packers. Alexander, Doubs, Cooper and Ballentine were ruled out on Wednesday.
- CB Jaire Alexander
- WR Romeo Doubs
- LB Edgerrin Cooper
- CB Corey Ballentine
- OL Jacob Monk